The paperbark maple is one of the most beautiful of the maple family. Native to central China, this deciduous tree slowly grows up to 9 meters tall and 6 meters wide, with the trunk's circumference reaching 28 cm. The branches, which grow low to the ground, don trifoliate leaves, and the trunk is composed of orange to bronze papery bark that peels back on the trunk over time. The maple prefers full sun and moist soil for growth but will settle for partial shade as well. Though once common in central China, deforestation and lack of conservation has made it an endangered species in its native land, while it has become a popular ornamental tree around the United States.
Mti wa maple ni mmoja wa miti maridadi zaidi katika familia ya maple. Mti huu unaishi katikati mwa China na unakua polepole hadi urefu wa mita 9 na upana wa mita 6, na mzunguko wa shina hufikia sentimita 28. Matawi yake, ambayo hukua chini ya ardhi, yana majani matatu, na shina lake lina rangi ya machungwa hadi shaba, na baada ya muda, linarudi kwenye shina. Mti huo hupendelea jua kamili na udongo wenye unyevunyevu ili ukue lakini pia hupendelea kuwa na kivuli kidogo. Ingawa wakati mmoja ilikuwa ya kawaida katika China ya kati, ukataji wa misitu na ukosefu wa uhifadhi umefanya kuwa spishi inayokabili hatari katika nchi yake ya asili, wakati imekuwa mti maarufu wa mapambo kote Marekani.