Vine Maple 'Pacific Fire'

About this plant

Acer circinatum 'Pacific Fire' is a stunning cultivar of the native Vine Maple, celebrated for its extraordinary display of color. Throughout the winter, its bare branches glow with an intense coral-red, providing a welcome and unusual splash of warmth in the landscape. As spring arrives, delicate chartreuse leaves emerge, maturing to a fresh green in summer before transforming into brilliant shades of orange, red, and yellow in the fall. This small, multi-stemmed tree is an excellent choice for adding a focal point to smaller gardens, woodland borders, or as a striking understory plant. Its graceful, often contorted branches add architectural interest even when dormant, ensuring it remains an eye-catching feature every season. 'Pacific Fire' is a resilient and adaptable selection, offering both beauty and ease of care. It's a true showstopper that will ignite your garden with its fiery personality, making it a standout choice for discerning gardeners.

Installation timing

When we're in season, outside of the winter months, our goal is to get your plants installed within about two weeks. That window gives us enough time to secure your plants from our supplier and find a spot on the schedule. Throughout the process we stay in touch through notifications and your existing client portal on the main A Cut Above website, which is separate from this landscaping plants shop.

Care & maintenance

Requires minimal pruning, primarily to establish structure or remove dead/damaged branches. Best planted in well-draining, fertile soil. Mulch annually to conserve moisture and regulate soil temperature. Protect from strong afternoon sun in hot climates.

Watering suggestions

Proper watering is the single most important factor in your plant's survival after installation. Newly installed plants have a limited root system and rely on you for consistent moisture while they establish.

• First 2 weeks: Water deeply every day (or every other day in cooler, wet weather), soaking the root ball and surrounding soil.
• Weeks 3–12: Water deeply 2–3 times per week, adjusting for rain, heat, and soil drainage.
• After establishment: Water deeply about once a week during the growing season, and more often in extreme heat or drought.
• How to check: Stick a finger 2–3 inches into the soil near the roots — if it's dry, it's time to water. Deep, less-frequent watering encourages strong roots; shallow daily sprinkles do not.
• Avoid: Overwatering (soggy, waterlogged soil) is just as harmful as underwatering and can drown roots.

Watering needs vary by plant, season, soil, and exposure. Because proper watering is the customer's responsibility after installation, please make sure you understand and can follow these suggestions before ordering.

Good to know: plants and trees purchased from and installed by A Cut Above include a one-year limited warranty from the date of installation. Because plant survival depends heavily on proper watering and care after installation, losses caused by improper care, neglect, animal or chemical damage, or extreme weather are not covered, and we must be given the chance to inspect a struggling plant before it's removed or replaced. Coverage is one replacement per plant. Read our warranty info.