One of the best smallish trees for any garden! Wonderful bark, great fall color, hardier than Japanese maples and requires minimal attention once planted. Rarely needs any pruning and once established, quite drought tolerant, although it would appreciate a drink in extended dry spells.

Paperbark maples can flower profusely so can generate a lot of samaras but there tends to be very low seed viability - I've seen estimates of only 20% - unless other paperbarks are planted nearby. That seems to up the viability and germination rate.

I had one at a previous garden but no photos. But they are very popular garden additions here in my area. An online image search will give you a good representation of the tree. My preference is for one that starts branching very low to the ground but you can find them with a single clear trunk as well.

All trees where bark interest is the main feature are much more effective visually when multi stemmed. Hence the preceding comment. With single trunked paperbark (and stripe bark) maples in particular looking like there should be more there. At least until they are large and old.

In this case, it really doesn't matter where one is located regarding seed germination. Acer griseum are notorious for poor seed quality, even in the wild. Most of the samaras are empty, containing no seed at all. As previously noted you will find sources documenting as little as 1% containing a viable seed to as much as 20% although most will say a 5% rate is typical. Parthenocarpy is very strong with this species so random weedy seedlings appearing is NOT a concern.

I would also ask you to define “smallish” before I’d recommend the indisputably beautiful Paper Bark / Acer Griseum for your yard. I had 4 in my yard, front & back, in the Puget Sound WA area. They mature into a reasonably “smallish” tree as tree sizes go & they aren’t super fast growing but there are smaller trees, maples included.

Thank you for all of your insight. I have read up on this variation of maple but was just looking to see if anyone had anything out of the norm when it comes to the seeds. Even in its natural area it is on a decline so I was pretty sure what I had read was accurate. I just needed additional reassurance for my husband as he adamantly detests the neighbours maple tree and the problem children that keep popping up from it. 😁