Quick answer: Mountain maple (Acer spicatum) is native to 18 states. What's commonly sold under this name is the true wild species. It's typically seeds, verified 16 Sep 2026.
Photo: François André Michaux (book author), Augustus Lucas Hillhouse (translator), Pancrace Bessa (illustrator), Gabriel (engr, Wikimedia Commons (PUBLIC DOMAIN)
Where it's native
Listed in the directory as native to these states. Click a state for its full native-plant guide.
Growing conditions
From the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center Native Plant Database.
| Sun | Sun, Shade |
|---|---|
| Water | Medium |
| Soil | Moist, cool, acidic |
| Bloom | Mar-May |
| Height | Up to 35 ft |
| Wildlife value | Very high wildlife value, rabbits/beavers/deer/moose browse bark, ruffed grouse eat buds, attracts birds |
none noted; can form thickets on cleared land via rooting branches, valuable for erosion control
Buying it
Sold true to the wild species as of the last check (16 Sep 2026), via Amazon.
Sold as: Seeds via Amazon · listing verified 16 Sep 2026
See where to buy →Quick answers about Mountain maple
Where is Mountain maple native?
Mountain maple (Acer spicatum) is native to 18 states across the Northeast, Midwest and South. Check your state's page in this directory for the full list of plants native where you live.
When does Mountain maple bloom?
Mountain maple blooms Mar-May. Exact timing shifts a few weeks with latitude and elevation.
What growing conditions does Mountain maple need?
Light: Sun, Shade. Water: Medium. Soil: Moist, cool, acidic. Mature height: Up to 35 ft.
Is Mountain maple good for pollinators and wildlife?
Yes. Wildlife value: Very high wildlife value, rabbits/beavers/deer/moose browse bark, ruffed grouse eat buds, attracts birds.
Is Mountain maple deer-resistant or drought-tolerant?
Mountain maple is tolerates shade.
Where can I buy real Mountain maple seed or plants?
We found a listing sold as seeds that names the true species, last checked 16 Sep 2026. Look for the scientific name Acer spicatum on any listing.
Similar native plants
Native plants that share growing conditions or range with Mountain maple.
- Great laurel Rhododendron maximum
- American mountain ash Sorbus americana
- Sweet birch Betula lenta
- Mountain laurel Kalmia latifolia
- Purple clematis Clematis occidentalis var. occidentalis
- Red spruce Picea rubens
Also listed under
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