Acer griseum

Description

A lovely choice for year-round interest. The opposite, trifoliate leaves have a deep green top and a shimmering silver underside well into late summer, they then slowly turn a brilliant, burnt orange-red fall color that persists into winter. The truly magnificent show, however, is from the curling, cinnamon-colored bark. Reminiscent of the madronna trees in the Northeast but without the brittle nature, birds flock to the trunks and perch themselves precariously on the peeled back bark.