Acer palmatum
Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- AY-ser pahl-MAY-tum
- Description
-
The Japanese maple is a short tree of the Aceraceae family native to eastern Asia, noted for having many aesthetically pleasing forms. Weeping as well as upright varieties exist and the species is well noted for its beautiful deep red and orange summer color that deepens into the fall. (for weeping varieties see: Acer palmatum 'dissectum'). Young leavesof this species are sensitive to frost and are not drought tolerant. Most cultivars are grafted and can be grown as single or multistemmed small tree. They may suffer leaf scorch with excess sun, wind, or drought. This tree is mildly resistant to damage by deer.
Also see cultivar Acer palmatum 'Sango-kaku'
Growth Rate: Slow to moderate
Form: Low; dense, rounded top; spreading branches; assumes a layered look
Texture: Medium to fine
Site: Light, dappled shade; evenly moist, well-drained soil; protect from drying winds
- Cultivars:
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- Bloodgood - grafted plant
- Burgundy Lace - grafted plant
- Higasayama - grafted plant (pink leaf margins)
- Moonfire - grafted plant
- Novum - grafted plant
- Redleaf
- Sango Kaku - grafted plant (coral twigs)
- Bloodgood - grafted plant
- Tags:
- Cultivars:
-
- Bloodgood - grafted plant
- Burgundy Lace - grafted plant
- Higasayama - grafted plant (pink leaf margins)
- Moonfire - grafted plant
- Novum - grafted plant
- Redleaf
- Sango Kaku - grafted plant (coral twigs)
- Bloodgood - grafted plant
- Tags:
-
-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Acer
- Species:
- palmatum
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Grafting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Asia: Japan, China, Korea, eastern Mongolia, southeastern Russia
- Play Value:
- Sound
- Wildlife Enhancement
- Wind Shimmer
- Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
- This tree is mildly resistant to damage by deer.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 15 ft. 0 in. - 25 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 10 ft. 0 in. - 25 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Shrub
- Tree
- Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Dense
- Rounded
- Spreading
- Growth Rate:
- Slow
- Texture:
- Fine
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Usda Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Type:
- Samara
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Purple/Lavender
- Red/Burgundy
- Flower Description:
- Flowers are small and red to purple. They are attractive if viewed closely but insignificant from a distance.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Green
- Purple/Lavender
- Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Purple/Lavender
- Red/Burgundy
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Opposite
- Leaf Margin:
- Lobed
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Leaves are 2 to 5 in., opposite, and simple with 5 to 9 lobes. Most are deeply lobed. Their color varies from green during summer to yellow, bronze, purple to red fall color (however, color varies with cultivar).
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Acer palmatum is often confused with:
-
Hibiscus acetosella
- Similar plants:
-
Amelanchier laevis
-
Acer nikoense
- Aralia elata
