Acer tataricum Hot Wings® ('GarAnn') – Hot Wings® Tatarian Maple

The Hot Wings® Tatarian Maple is an exceptional small tree that offers a visual spectacle across three seasons, especially in summer. Its main, entirely unique attraction is its massive production of bright scarlet-red samaras (the "helicopters") that cover the tree in mid-summer, giving it the appearance of being in bloom. This tree combines this striking beauty with remarkable hardiness and adaptability, making it a top choice for small urban gardens.

Characteristics

• Foliage: It develops dense deciduous foliage. The leaves, typical of maples with their 3 to 5 lobes, are a medium green during the summer. In the fall, the foliage transforms and displays a flamboyant palette of colours, ranging from yellow to orange and red.
• Flowering: In the spring, it produces discreet but fragrant small, yellowish-white flowers that attract pollinators.
• Fruiting (Samaras): The main show occurs in summer, when the flowers give way to an abundance of spectacular, bright red winged fruits (samaras). These red "wings" persist on the tree for a long time, contrasting beautifully with the green foliage.
• Light: It thrives in full sun, which ensures the most beautiful fall colours, but it also adapts well to partial shade.
• Habit: It forms a small tree or large multi-stemmed shrub with a rounded, wide, and spreading habit.
• Growth: With a medium growth rate, it reaches a height and spread of about 4.5 to 6 m (15-20 feet).
• Moisture: It prefers average moisture conditions.
• Soil: It is an extremely adaptable tree that grows well in a wide variety of soils, including clay or alkaline soils, as long as the drainage is adequate.
• Hardiness: Very hardy, it faces the harsh winters of Zone 3 without any problem.
• Resistance: It is known for its high tolerance to drought and difficult soil conditions.

Uses

• Types of Use: Its modest size makes it a perfect specimen tree for small urban or suburban gardens. It also integrates very well into parks and large landscapes.
• Ornamental Features: It offers multi-season interest: spring flowers, a striking summer display with its red samaras, and flamboyant fall foliage.

Care

• Watering: Water regularly during the first season to establish a deep root system. Afterwards, it tolerates drought well.
• Fertilizing: It generally does not require any fertilization to perform well.
• Pruning: Its maintenance is minimal. To shape it, prune in summer (July-August) to avoid sap flow. Deadwood can be removed at any time.
• Planting: Plant it in the spring or fall in well-drained soil.
• Winter Protection: This very hardy tree requires no special protection once mature, but applying a mulch at the base of young plants is recommended for their first winter.