Japanese Maple Acer palmatum 'Osakazuki'

'Osakazuki' Japanese maple is cultivar in the maple family (Sapindaceae) native to southeast Korea and central and south Japan. Acer is Latin for sharp and palmatum means shaped like a hand, referring to the leaves.

'Osakazuki' has a rounded form and grows 15 to 24 feet tall. It prefers rich, moist, acidic soil, but will adapt to clay and sandy soils. The plant resists leaf scorch in the sun but will showcase the best leaf color if it is planted in partial shade. Keep it watered during dry spells to keep it looking its best. 

The bright green 7-lobed leaves turn a brilliant red in the fall. The spring flowers are insignificant and are followed by red samara in the fall.

Use this small tree as a specimen or in a foundation planting or Asian garden. It does well as an understory tree in the dappled shade of a woodland garden and tolerates being planted with needled evergreens.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Aphids, scale, maple worms, leafrollers, and leafhoppers are occasional pests. Anthracnose, leaf scorch, and frost damage, especially from late frosts, can occur.  It self-seeds easily so can spread and become weedy in the landscape. 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.

VIDEO Created by Elizabeth Meyer for "Trees, Shrubs and Conifers" a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens.

More information on Acer palmatum.