The Goosefoot Maple, also known as Moosewood, Striped Maple, Snakebark Maple, or Whistlewood, is a distinctive native plant from the forests of northeastern United States and eastern Canada. Belonging to the Sapindaceae family, this woody species thrives in hardiness zones 3 to 7.
This understory tree is well-suited to dappled sunlight and often grows as a large shrub beneath the forest canopy. One of its standout features is the striking green bark with white vertical stripes on its young branches, giving it a snake-like appearance. In early spring, its emerging leaves take on pinkish hues, while autumn transforms them into vibrant shades of yellow, adding seasonal beauty to the landscape.
Ideal for naturalized gardens or woodland areas, Acer pensylvanicum offers both ornamental appeal and wildlife value, making it a cherished native plant.
| Common name | Goosefoot Maple, Moosewood, Snakebark Maple, Striped Maple, Whistlewood |
| Botanical name | Acer pensylvanicum |
| Family | Sapindaceae |
| Species | pensylvanicum |
| Origin | Only species of snakebark maple that is native to North America |
| Life cycle | Woody |
| Plant type | Native Plant |
| Hardiness zone | 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 |
| Sunlight | Dappled Sunlight |
| Maintenance | Low |
| Soil condition | Clay |
| Soil ph | Acid |
| Drainage | Well-Drained |
| Growth rate | Slow |
| Spacing | 12 – 24 ft. |
| Harvest time | Fall |
| Flowering period | Spring |
| Height | 15 ft. – 35 ft. |
| Flower color | Gold, Yellow |
| Leaf color | Green |
| Fruit color | Cream, Tan |
| Stem color | Brown, Copper |
| Fruit type | Samara |
| Flower benefit | Showy |
| Garden style | Drought Tolerant Garden |
| Uses | Naturalized Area |
I. Appearance and Characteristics
Acer pensylvanicum, known as the striped maple, moosewood, moose maple or goosefoot maple, is a small North American species of maple. The striped maple is a sequential hermaphrodite, meaning that it can change its sex throughout its lifetime.
The natural range of the striped maple extends from Nova Scotia and the Gaspé Peninsula of Quebec, west to southern Ontario, Michigan, and Saskatchewan; south to northeastern Ohio, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey, and along the Appalachian Mountains as far south as northern Georgia.
The striped maple is a small deciduous tree growing to 5–10 meters (16–33 ft) tall, with a trunk up to 20 cm (8 in) in diameter. The shape of the tree is broadly columnar, with a short, forked trunk that divides into arching branches which create an uneven, flat-topped crown.
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The young bark is striped with green and white, and when a little older, brown.
The leaves are broad and soft, 8–15 cm (3–6 in) long and 6–12 cm (2.5–4.5 in) broad, with three shallow forward-pointing lobes.
The fruit is a samara; the seeds are about 27 mm (1.1 in) long and 11 mm (0.43 in) broad, with a wing angle of 145° and a conspicuously veined pedicel.
The bloom period for Acer pensylvanicum is around late spring.
The spelling pensylvanicum is the one originally used by Linnaeus.
Small, finger-diameter sections of branches can be used to make whistles due to the ability to lightly bruise the bark, slip it off the wood, carve the whistle hollow and airflow channel into the wood, and slip the tube of bark back on.
Moosewood is an understory tree of cool, moist forests, often preferring slopes. It is among the most shade-tolerant of deciduous trees, capable of germinating and persisting for years as a small understory shrub, then growing rapidly to its full height when a gap opens up. However, it does not grow high enough to become a canopy tree, and once the gap above it closes through succession, it responds by flowering and fruiting profusely, and to some degree spreading by vegetative reproduction.
Mammals such as moose, deer, beavers, and rabbits eat the bark, particularly during the winter.
II. How to Grow and Care
Sunlight
Striped maple flourishes in environments with partial sun, receiving a mix of sun and shade throughout the day. While adaptable to both full sun and full shade, deviations from its preferred dappled light can impact its vitality. In full sun, striped maple may exhibit stress, leading to reduced leaf size and potential scorching. In deep shade, the growth rate may slow, and foliar density can decrease. Striped maple has evolved to optimize light capture, with larger leaves in shadier spots and a lighter leaf underside to reflect light. Outdoor growth is favored, with striped maple best planted under the light canopy of taller trees.
Temperature
The striped maple has good cold resistance and is able to tolerate low temperatures. The striped maple is native to the margins of forests in China, Japan, and North Korea, so these trees generally prefer a humid environment. Most striped maple plants have shallow root systems, so they should be watered frequently during the summer. For some varieties, a sprayed mist should be provided during the summer to increase the humidity of the air around them.
Watering
Native to the understory of eastern North American forests, striped maple thrives in moist, well-drained soil, indicative of its preference for consistent moisture akin to its natural habitat. This species exhibits a moderate drought tolerance but favors a stable humidity environment. Watering should be done once every 1-2 weeks, maintaining soil hydration without over-saturation. As an understory plant often found in cooler, shaded areas, striped maple is typically grown outdoors and has adapted to take advantage of the dappled light and periodic rainfalls that characterize its native climate zones.
Soil
The striped maple does not have many specific requirements for soil. It is a forest native, so it prefers well-drained soil that is rich in humus and slightly acidic. Its main root will extend deep into the soil, but its tiny fibrous roots will be concentrated near the soil surface, so accumulated water in the soil tends to cause root rot.
Fertilizing
Ensure striped maple thrives by applying a balanced nutrition fertilizer in spring and a high-nitrogen option early in the growing season to foster vigorous growth. Aim for quarterly applications, using manufacturer-recommended doses, and reduce frequency as striped maple enters dormancy in fall. Benefits include healthier foliage and stronger structure. Be cautious not to over-fertilize, which can damage root systems and reduce hardiness. Adjust feeding for younger trees or in different soil types for optimal results.
Pruning
Pruning is mainly used to enhance internal ventilation, improve shoot formation, promote growth, and for shaping. The common approach to pruning is to remove any old or weak branches, remove any branches that disrupt the shape of the tree, and remove any branches that cross other branches. Pruning is used to control the plant according to the required height and shape. Generally, this follows the “Y-type” pruning method.
It is possible to prune a striped maple throughout the year, but the coldest winter months should be avoided to prevent damage to the plant. Major pruning to shape a maple can be performed following defoliation in the fall, or prior to leaf growth in the spring. It is recommended to prune in the fall because withered and full buds can be easily distinguished.
According to the shaping plan, you can prune any withered buds and keep the full ones, thus making your tree healthier. For pruning in the summer, diseased, weak, or dead branches can be removed, mainly to enhance the tree’s ventilation.
If grown as a potted plant, the roots can easily occupy the entire flowerpot due to the limited space. This can make a striped maple prone to aging if an old flowerpot is not changed. It is recommended that old roots are pruned during the dormancy period, that is, cut off any old, coarse, diseased, and weak roots.
Propagation
Common propagation methods include grafting, taking cuttings, and sowing seeds.
Grafting is the most common propagation method. Seedlings of Acer palmatum or Acer oliverianum are usually selected for the rootstock. Grafted seedlings have strong roots and grow rapidly, but poor affinity is occasionally present in some cases. Seedlings with Acer oliverianum as the rootstock are less hardy.
Cuttings take longer to grow and are mostly used in the production of bonsai.
Sowing seeds is a common way to cultivate new varieties. The hybrid offspring of two different maples are sown and valuable individuals are then selected from the seedlings. The traits of the parents may not be maintained in the selected offspring.
Transplanting
Late spring to mid-summer is the best time to transplant striped maple, as this period gives the plant ample time to root before the winter freeze. Chilly nights and extended daytime warmth make an ideal transplant setting. For location, striped maple prefers well-drained soil and partial to fully shaded areas. A friendly tip? Maintain soil moisture after transplant and mulch to conserve it.
Repotting
Repot your striped maple every 2-3 years in early spring to support its moderate growth as a small, understory tree. Choose a larger container with ample room for root expansion. Post-repotting, ensure striped maple is in well-draining soil and has partial shade. Regular watering aids in recovery, but avoids water logging to foster a healthy striped maple.
III. Uses and Benefits
The striking striped maple tree is popular as an ornamental or shade tree in parks, yards, and landscapes. It grows showy flowers and is a well-loved natural attraction in the autumn, when the leaves and bark are at their most colorful. This tree is low maintenance for gardeners, requiring only shade and well-drained soil to thrive.
Find Where to Buy the Best Striped Maple (Acer pensylvanicum)
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