Acer griseum (Paper Barked Maple)

In its early years, you can enjoy the peeling bark - as decorative as any bark anywhere but as it reaches maturity, it's the lovely tight domed shape it acquires is even more eye catching. Guy saw three of the most amazing specimens at a service station on the M3 on his way back from a site visit and fell in love with them and you can see them at the entrance to Nymans as you walk in too.

Like most Maples, any reasonably well drained soil (except chalk), protect from strong or very cold winds and give it space to show off its shape. Generally considered to be a small tree but I have seen them to 40ft or more. First introduced in 1901 (by Earnest Wilson) so none of the specimens in cultivation are tremendously ancient.

Difficult to propagate so always in short supply.

Propagated from seed.

N.B. When clipping several plants with the same tool, have a bucket containing a 5% bleach solution and swish your blades around for 30 seconds between plants to sterilise them. This will help avoid the chance of cross contamination of disease.

As with all woody plants, plant high, exposing as much of the taper at the base of the trunk as possible. Allowing soil to accumulate round the base of a tree can be fatal. Keep very well watered when first planted.