Plant Preference/Growing Conditions:

Chalk Maple is best grown in full sun or partial shade in moist, well-drained soil. Likes slightly acidic to neutral soils. It can adapt to poor shallow soils better than other maple trees.

Growth Habit/Description:

Chalk Maple grows up to 9 meters in height and 25 feet wide. It can grow on river banks, ravines, and cliffs. The bark is smooth and gray.  The leaves are palmate with wavy or toothed edges. The Chalk Maple tree leaf has a reddish-yellow underside and dark green top. In autumn, the leaves turn a deep red. In its youth, the bark is white or light grey. As it ages, the bark becomes ridged and darkens in color.

Bloom Season:

From March to April, yellowish-green flowers bloom.

Fall and/or Winter Interest?

Yes.  In the summer, the leaves are green. Passing from fall to winter, the leaves turn to colors of red, orange, and yellow.

Host Plant for Caterpillars?

Yes.  Nearly 300  types of caterpillars live in the Chalk Maple.  The tree gives food and development to the caterpillars that live there.  The Imperial Moths' larvae is also being supported by the Chalk Maple tree.

Other Known Ecological Value?

Yes.   Finches, Porcupine, Squirrels, Deer, etc, eat the Maple seeds. The flowers bring pollinators, and their samaras (a dry fruit grown on a flowering plant) can be used for animals for food. The roots help in soil stabilization on slopes. The wood can be used for firewood or furniture. 

Origin of Name:  Leucoderme is derived from the Greek meaning white skin.

Related Plant Species:  Chalk Maple is closely related to Sugar Maple (Acer saccharum), but mature Chalk Maple is 25-30 feet tall while Sugar Maple is 50-80 feet tall.  Chalk Maple is also multi-trunked while Sugar Maple exhibits symmetrical growth.

Use For Food/Medicine:

Sugar maple is the Acer species more commonly used for maple syrup. Maple wood can also be used for furniture.

Flora of the Southeastern United States c 2022. North Carolina [Cited 2025 Sept 5] Available from:  Acer leucoderme (Chalk Maple) - FSUS

 
The Green Thumb c 2024. North Carolina [Cited 2025 Sept 5] Available from: Chalk Maple (Acer leucoderme) Care Guide 

Jackson, Whitney April. Physiology and genetic studies of the hard maple group. Retrieved from https://doi.org/doi:10.7282/t3-k42z-pf53 

Smithsonian Gardens. Washington D.C. [Cited 2025 Sept 7]. Available from:Acer saccharum subsp. leucoderme | Smithsonian Institution  

Flora of the southeastern United States. c 1895. Vol. 22. New York: Torrey Botanical Club. [Cited Sept 5] Available from: Flora of the Southeastern United States c 2022. North Carolina [Cited 2025 Sept 5] Available from:  Acer leucoderme (Chalk Maple) - FSUS

 
The Green Thumb c 2024. North Carolina [Cited 2025 Sept 5]. Available from: Chalk Maple (Acer leucoderme) Care Guide 

Smithsonian Gardens. Washington D.C. [Cited 2025 Sept 7]. Available from: Acer saccharum subsp. leucoderme | Smithsonian Institution  

Bulletin of the Torrey Botanical Club. c 1895. Vol. 22. New York: Torrey Botanical Club. [Cited Sept 5] Available from: v.22 (1895) - Bulletin of the Torrey Botanical Club - Biodiversity Heritage Library 

Davidson Lands Conservancy. Trees of Beaty Park. [Cited 2025 Sept 7] Available from: Chalkbark Maple - Davidson Lands Conservancy 

Entry created by Pilar Johnson, September 2025.