Many people don’t realize that there are two native Maple trees in Montana. These two may be the hardiest Maples in the world. One is the Acer negundo, “Sensation” Maple, a rare variety of one found growing in the wild in Idaho many years ago. The other is the Acer glabrum, commonly called a Rocky Mountain Maple.
Acer negundo, “Sensation” Maple is the best known plant discovery of Warren Carnefix, an Idaho plantsman and nurseryman. It is a great, drought-tolerant Zone 2 -3 tree, and since it is grafted and male, it does not attract bugs and won’t produce seed.
Unlike a regular Acer negundo that turns just yellow-brown, this rare find can turn pinkish in the summer before turning a bright red-orange in the fall. It has a more controlled uniform growth than its Idaho forbear – but it is just as hardy: This tree can survive on less then 9” of annual moisture after it is established. It withstands horrid wind and takes -55 F temps. Native ones in eastern Montana are living in very harsh conditions with extremely alkaline 9 to 10 ph soil. It makes a great tree for planting next to a roadway where winter snow containing salt is spread by highway plows and gets piled up near them.
