One day as I walked up to my hospital, I saw two trees at the entrance that were striking.

At issue was the fact that I could not identify them! I am no expert, but I know most trees. I began digging. Leaves were no help. Nor was the bark. But then I spied samaras!

The best clue! It was some form of maple. I took my husband to see them. With some research, I discovered they are a specialty tree — Acer griseum, or paperbark maple.

Having never heard of this tree I began studying.

In the spring, at the local master gardener plant sale, my husband came over with — yes, you guessed it — my tree. When we got home, we planted it.

This tree is native to China, where it is endangered.

As Western scholars began exploring the Orient, they were intrigued by the maples growing in China. In 1907, a tree was shipped from China to the Harvard Arboretum. At the same time a tree was shipped to North America for cultivation. The Harvard Arboretum has been active in conservation of this iconic species.

Now let me tell you about this tree.

The Buckeye Yard & Garden online article written by Ashley Kulhanek is titled “Love Letter to Paperbark Maple.”

That tells it all! It is a specimen tree with four-season interest. It is a smaller tree standing up to 30 feet tall, with compound trifoliate leaves.

The center leaf and side leaves attach to the petiole, like a three-leafed clover. The underside of the leaf is gray (hence the name griseum) and pubescent. The tree is green until late fall, when it turns red, bronze and orange, as the leaves change before winter.

Oh, but the story is not over. As the tree matures, the bark exfoliates and peels off to reveal gray, brown, beige and rust. Think sycamore tree bark. In the winter it is a show!

This tree is low maintenance and can live up to 100 years.

It can live in full sun (mine is!) to part shade. It may need pruning. It is disease- and pest-free for the most part. Just a look to make sure it is in top shape. Ours is now 6-plus feet tall and peeling. I’m so excited to see how beautiful she will become.

Hughes is an Ohio State University Extension Master Gardener Volunteer in Mahoning County.