Acer pectinatum subsp. forrestii – This is an extraordinary and not commonly offered small Snakebark Maple tree. Its bark on younger stems is beautiful red in the winter landscape – not a watered-down color but rather a strong, deep rich red reminiscent of some of the better Redtwig Dogwoods complete with fine white stripes, a typical feature of Snakebark Maples. Butter yellow fall foliage color accompanies the increasingly red bark as the weather cools – what a knockout! The very smooth trunk and all older wood settles back to a medium olive color with so many fine white stripes it proffers an ashen olive affect. It is so very handsome and too much ignored. Our plant came from Adam Wheeler at Broken Arrow Nursery where we first saw this beautiful maple. Plant it in front of any colored evergreen backdrop to underscore its amazingly colored bark in winter. Protect from afternoon sun. Though I’ve seen this plant listed as USDA zone 5 hardy ours died to the lower trunk just above the crown in the hard winter of 2009 in northeastern Connecticut. We’ve planted it again! On the east side of our potting shed it is flourishing, glorious and permanent. For gardeners towards the northern end of its range spring planting is advised. Established potted Snakebark Maple, cutting grown.

From Philip C. from Albany, NY on 4.21.2022 wrote: "Acer pectinatum ssp. forrestii from a previous order has been overwintering like a champ! This past winter has been the coldest thus far, experiencing lows around -10F three times, but my plant has had zero die back and is budding out strongly".