Acer maximowiczianum

The Nikko maple has smooth, gray bark and is a deciduous shade tree of the Sapindaceae (soapberry) family.  It is native to China and Japan and the leaves are distinct among maples for consisting of three separate leaflets. The genus Acer means maple in Latin and the species name maximowiczianum honors Carl Johann Maximowicz a botanist who discovered the tree growing in Japan in the 1860s.  The common name Nikko comes from a town in Japan.

It has a picturesque, vase-shaped, round-topped form and reaches a height and width of 20 to 30 feet.  The vibrant red-orange fall color is why it is primarily grown. Unlike other maples, this plant does not have a traditional maple leaf. Each of its leaves are divided into three leaves.

The Nikko maple grows best in sites with full sun and moist, well-drained soil.  It is particularly resistant to insect pests and very easy to transplant.

This tree supports pollinators like moths making it an excellent addition to a nighttime garden, a pollinator garden, or a specimen tree.  Take advantage of the sticking fall color and vase shape to provide interest in the landscape in the fall and winter.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:  No serious problems.  See potential insect and disease problem fact sheets to the left.

The Clemson Cooperative Extension Home and Garden Information Center has a factsheet on common maple diseases and insect pests.