The Paperbark Maple (Acer griseum) is a very well-regarded tree throughout the country. This native of China has very distinct exfoliating bark that is very rare in maple trees. The chestnut-brown bark of both its trunk and branches is constantly peeling off to reveal the fresh cinnamon-red bark beneath it. This habit starts very early on the branches so even young stems will have this peeling bark.

The Paperbark Maple is a small- to medium-sized tree and is very slow-growing, taking up to 20 years to reach its full height. It has an oval-shaped open crown providing filtered shade beneath the tree, making it suitable for planting shade-tolerant plants beneath the canopy. In the fall, its 3-lobed leaves erupt into a display of yellow-to-orange and stay on the tree longer than most other species. This tree prefers moist soils but can grow in many soil types and also can thrive in either full sun or partial shade.