Acer palmatum 'Sangokaku'

‘Sangokaku’ coral bark Japanese maple is a deciduous, small to medium-sized tree in the maple family (Sapindaceae). Japanese maples are native to southeast Korea and central and southern Japan. ‘Sangokaku’ was introduced into Europe from Japan around 1910.  The cultivar name is Japanese and means “coral tower.” 

‘Sangokaku’ is a slow-to-moderate-growing tree that will grow to 20 to 25 feet tall and 15 to 20 feet wide. Plant it in full sun to partial shade and in moist, well-drained soil. It tolerates a range of soil types, including sand and heavy clay. 

This cultivar is noted for its coral-red bark, which is particularly showy in the fall and winter after the leaves drop. The foliage will retain a light green-yellow color through spring and summer, and in fall it will turn bright yellow. The color intensifies in cold weather to almost salmon, and although it produces its best color in full sun, new foliage may scorch. This cultivar is drought-tolerant. ‘Sangokaku’ is distinct from a similar cultivar, ‘Corallinum’, which is sometimes miapplied to ‘Sangokaku’. The cultivar ‘Senkaki’ is synonymous with ‘Sangokaku’.

Plant it in a garden that needs winter interest to really showcase its red bark. ‘Sangokaku’ works well in a small space, courtyard, patio or Asian garden.  

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 and can 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 fact sheet on common maple diseases and insect pests.

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

More information on Acer palmatum.