The paperback maple
Some trees provide interest even now, before the leaves emerge. One such tree is the beautiful paperbark maple, Acer griseum. This is a slow-growing tree with attractive dark green, three-lobed palmate leaves, which turn wonderful shades of gold and crimson in autumn. As the bark on old branches slowly curls and peels away, a lovely cinnamon colour is revealed. If positioned in the right spot, low spring sunshine will make the bark glow. Acer griseum has an Award of Garden Merit from the Royal Horticultural Society in the UK. The paper bark maple is best planted in full sun and, providing the soil is well drained, it’s not fussy. Fully hardy, this is one of the most beautiful trees you can grow in Irish gardens.