As the first hints of fall begin to reach the forests of Clark County, one native shrub turns the understory into a colorful display.
Vine maple, a familiar sight along wooded trails throughout Southwest Washington, is easy to overlook during the lush green months of spring and summer.
But come fall, its leaves can transform into brilliant shades of yellow, orange and red, making the native plant a trailside delight for hikers, photographers and anyone taking a slower walk through the woods.
Vine maple, or “Acer circinatum,” is native to the Pacific Northwest and is commonly found growing beneath the canopy of Douglas fir, western red cedar, bigleaf maple and other forest trees. Unlike the towering trees surrounding it, vine maple generally remains a small, understory tree or shrub, often growing in a graceful, spreading form.
While the plant abundantly grows naturally in the forest understory, in replanted forests, its success is diminished by the consistent practice of overplanting conifer trees in tight groupings. Overplanting can drown out dappled sunlight on the forest floor, essentially eliminating the light source necessary for many native shrubs and flowering plants.
Its name comes from its flexible branches, which can arch outward and sometimes bend toward the ground before reaching upward again. Along a forest trail, those twisting stems can give vine maple a distinctive appearance, particularly when several plants grow together in the filtered light beneath the canopy.
The plant's fall foliage is its biggest seasonal attraction.
As temperatures cool and days shorten, the green leaves begin to change. Individual plants can display a range of colors at the same time. When autumn sunlight filters through the forest canopy, the leaves can appear especially vibrant against the darker greens and browns of the surrounding woods.
Vine maple also plays an important role in the forest ecosystem. Its flowers provide resources for pollinators, while its seeds and foliage contribute to the food available to wildlife. The shrub's branches also add structure to the forest understory.
For Clark County residents exploring local trails this fall, vine maple offers a reason to slow down and look closer. The endemic shrub is common throughout Clark County forests at varying elevations.
Vine maple for the garden
The same appeal in the wild also makes vine maple a useful native choice for home landscapes. Gardeners can use it as an understory tree or shrub in areas with partial shade, particularly beneath larger trees or along woodland-style gardens. Its naturally spreading form can add texture and structure to a landscape while requiring less space than many larger maple species.
Vine maple can also provide a more natural-looking alternative to ornamental plants that are not native to the region. With its seasonal flowers, distinctive branching pattern and colorful fall foliage, it offers interest throughout much of the year while providing habitat and food resources for native wildlife. A vine maple planted in the right location can help create a small connection between a residential garden and the surrounding Pacific Northwest forest.
Vine maple can grow to 20 feet in height and a width of 15 to 20 feet. With a lifespan of nearly 100 years, it grows at a moderate pace. As a native plant to the area, it tolerates drought, but moist soil is preferred.
Vine maples do not spread and are an easy native shrub to maintain.
