Acer nipponicum
Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Acer brevilobum
- Phonetic Spelling
- AY-ser nip-PON-ih-kum
- Description
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Nippon maple is a deciduous shade tree in the maple family (Sapindaceae) native to the forests in mountainous regions of Japan. It can grow to a whopping height of 20 to 65 feet tall.
It has smooth gray-brown bark and intensely green bark on younger stems. The leaves are dark green deeply veined and have an interesting rough texture. and the wing seeds are prolific but are often sterile. Be careful to keep the tree from direct sun so as not to develop leaf burn.
Plant in moist, humus rich, well-drained soil with light to deep shade. It blooms in the spring and has beautiful fall color.
This tree can be difficult to find at nurseries. Plant it in a shade garden or other large space to account for its mature size and in a location where its interesting bark can be enjoyed.
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.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Acer
- Species:
- nipponicum
- Family:
- Sapindaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Japan
- Wildlife Value:
- Members of the genus Acer support Imperial Moth (Eacles imperialis) larvae which have one brood per season and appear from April-October in the south. Adult Imperial Moths do not feed.
- Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
- Shade tolerant
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Tree
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Rounded
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
- Texture:
- Coarse
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
- Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- High Organic Matter
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Available Space To Plant:
- 24-60 feet
- more than 60 feet
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
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Fruit:
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Fruit Type:
- Samara
- Fruit Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Fruit Description:
- Fruit wings up to 2 inches long, held at obtuse angles, nutlets globose. Seeds are often sterile.
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Flowers:
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Raceme
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Description:
- Attractive long pendulous racemes appear with leaves in the spring.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Rough
- Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Gold/Yellow
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Opposite
- Leaf Shape:
- Cordate
- Leaf Margin:
- Doubly Serrate
- Lobed
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Description:
- The leaves are deeply veined and have an interesting rough texture the underside is pubecent. Leaves are 4 to 8 in., opposite, simple and light green with 3 to 5 oval shallow lobes that terminate in a point. The leaves are deeply cordate base, and margins are doubly serrate. Upper side of leaf is rough and almost embossed looking and has a rusty brown pubescence on underside. Yellow to golden brown color in the fall.
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Bark:
- Bark Color:
- Dark Brown
- Dark Gray
- Green
- Light Brown
- Light Gray
- Surface/Attachment:
- Smooth
- Bark Description:
- It has smooth gray-brown bark and intensely green bark on younger stems.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Form:
- Straight
- Stem Surface:
- Smooth (glabrous)
- Stem Description:
- Intensely green bark on younger stems. The terminal bud is often aborted or lacking.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Naturalized Area
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Asian Garden
- Nighttime Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Design Feature:
- Shade Tree
- Attracts:
- Moths
- Pollinators
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Heavy Shade
- Humidity
