Vine Maples on a Pergola?

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lorie
Posted: Sep-25-2003 at 9:07pm

Will I be able to train a vine maple to cover my pergola? Hi everyone!

 

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EmilyK
Location: Washington, Kitsap Peninsula
Posted: Sep-26-2003 at 8:05am

Probably not--at least not if you mean Acer Circinatum. It's called "Vine Maple" but it is actually a tree. It is a kind-of limber, multi-trunked tree (especially when grown in shade) but a tree none-the-less.

EmilyK

 

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Lisa A
Location: Oregon, Greater Portland Metro
Posted: Sep-26-2003 at 8:50am

Trees can be espalliered but I've never heard of anyone doing what you are asking with a vine maple. Even if possible, I think it would take a long time to cover a pergola - certainly longer than most vines. Also, in hot sunny sites, the vine maple tends to grow denser, bushier than upright and open (defense mechanism to protect itself from the sun) so this would present some additional challenges.

How big is the pergola? What are the site conditions? What are your goals? Maybe we can help you with suggestions of alternatives.

 

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