Description

🍁 Full Botanical Description

Moosewood / Striped Maple

Acer pensylvanicum

Moosewood, also known as Striped Maple, is one of North America’s most distinctive native understory trees. Its signature feature is the green bark streaked with vertical white stripes, a pattern that becomes more dramatic with age and provides year‑round ornamental interest. This species brings a refined, woodland aesthetic that few other maples can match.

The foliage emerges in spring as large, soft, three‑lobed leaves—almost tropical in appearance—creating a lush, layered canopy. In autumn, the leaves shift to clear yellow, lighting up shaded spaces where most trees struggle to color. Because Moosewood evolved as a forest understory species, it thrives in shade to part shade, making it ideal for woodland gardens, north‑facing plantings, and naturalized landscapes.

This is a slow‑growing, cool‑climate native that prefers rich, moist, well‑drained soils. It is exceptionally cold‑hardy and performs beautifully in Michigan and the broader Great Lakes region. Its subtle beauty, unique bark, and ecological value make it a favorite among collectors, native plant enthusiasts, and designers seeking texture and contrast.

🌡️ Hardiness & Climate Behavior

• USDA Zones: 3–7
• Cold tolerance: Down to –35°F
• Heat sensitivity: Prefers cooler climates; struggles in hot, dry Zone 8+
• Light: Shade to part shade (full sun will scorch leaves)
• Soil: Moist, rich, acidic to neutral; dislikes drought and compaction

⭐ Why Collectors Love Moosewood

• Unique striped bark that stands out year‑round
• Large, tropical‑looking leaves for bold texture
• Thrives in shade, where most trees fail
• Native to the Great Lakes and Northeast
• Slow‑growing and uncommon in the nursery trade
• Excellent for woodland gardens and naturalistic design

Moosewood is one of the few ornamental trees that prefers shade, making it a perfect niche offering in your catalog.