Maple Collection

Maples (Acer) are one of the major collections at the Arboretum with nearly 200 different kinds (taxa). The diversity of our Acer collection in Raleigh, NC includes trees suitable for street tree planting schemes, small trees ideal for home gardens, and even some newly introduced evergreen maples for use in the southern United States. The variety, beauty, and grace found in the genus Acer is what makes them one of the most popular groups for temperate gardens around the world.

Japanese maples (Acer palmatum), noted for their small size and year-round elegance, are the perfect symbol for the Arboretum and represent nearly half of the maple collection. Look around you. One of these four-season beauties can be spotted from any location you stand in the garden.

We love maples! Here are some links to our youtube videos about our maple collection:

Evergreen Maples - Midweek with Mark, April 20, 2022
Japanese Maples - Midweek with Mark, June 9, 2021
Evergreen Maples and Oaks - Midweek with Mark, July 22, 2020
Color Explosion - Friends of the Arboretum Lecture / Mr. Maple / Nichols brothers, July 21, 2018
Evergreen Oaks and Maples - Plantsman's Tour (Tim Alderton), January 8, 2013
Maples in Spring - Plantsmans Tour (Mark), April 10, 2012
Japanese Maples at the JCRA - Almanac Gardener 1980, JC Rauslton