Unique Features: The Rugged Charm Maple is a cultivated variety of the Tatarian (Mongolian) maple; it’s closely related to the Hot Wings maple. It grows into a compact oval form suitable as a single specimen for a smaller yard, or very durable screen for larger areas. It has dark green oval leaves with serrated edges that highlight the dark red winged seed capsules, which are produced in the summer. In fall the foliage is a mixture of oranges, reds and yellows. This smaller tree is tolerant of cold, heat, drought, and wind.  It is also more tolerant of high pH soils, making it less susceptible to iron chlorosis. Maples start moving sap early and that makes them prone to ‘frost cracking’, which damages the circulatory system of the tree. To prevent this, wrap the tree from about Thanksgiving until Easter. This ‘early awakening’ also necessitates an increase in the winter watering at this time.