Acer palmatum

Common Name(s):

Previously known as:

Acer decompositum Dippel
Acer formosum Carrière
Acer friederici-guillelmii Carr
Acer jucundum Carrière
Acer ornatum Carrière
Acer pinnatifidum Dippel
Acer pulverulentum Dippel
Acer ribesifolium Dippel
Acer roseomarginatum (Van Houtte) Koidz.
Acer sessilifolium Siebold & Zucc.
Negundo sessilifolium (Siebold & Zucc.) Miq.

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.

Leaves highly variable, can exhibit extreme dissection. Prized specimen tree in landscape. One of the more versatile maple species for landscape uses.

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

Native Range: Southwest Korea, Central & South Japan.

Quick ID Hints:

*Leaves 5-7 lobed, serrate

*Leaves concolorous, green to red

Small deciduous tree to 25'. TWIGS slender, green to red, often glaucous bloom

Buds: small, green, hidden by petiole base; terminal often doubled.

Cultivars / Varieties:

'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)

Tags:

#purple #red #deciduous #fall color #songbirds #orange #shrub #purple leaves #tree #maple #red leaves #bonsai #yellow leaves #tsc #understory tree #playground #dappled shade #cpp #samara #bronze leaves #children's garden

Acer Palmatum samaras Bri Weldon CC BY 2.0

Acer palmatum 'Crimson Queen' full tree Jim Lawrence CC BY-NC-ND 4.0

Acer palmatum 'green cascade' leaf Jim Lawrence CC BY-NC-ND 4.0

Cultivars / Varieties:

'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)

Tags:

Attributes:
Genus:

Acer

Species:

palmatum

Family:

Sapindaceae (formerly Aceraceae)

Life Cycle:

Woody

Recommended Propagation Strategy:

Grafting

Country Or Region Of Origin:

Asia: Japan, China, Korea, eastern Mongolia, southeastern Russia

Play Value:

Attracts Pollinators

Pieces Used in Games

Sound

Wildlife Food Source

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.

Whole Plant Traits:
Plant Type:

Shrub

Tree

Leaf Characteristics:

Deciduous

Habit/Form:

Broad

Dense

Rounded

Spreading

Growth Rate:

Slow

Texture:

Fine

Cultural Conditions:
Light:

Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)

Soil Texture:

High Organic Matter

Soil Drainage:

Good Drainage

Moist

Usda Plant Hardiness Zone:

5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b

Fruit:
Fruit Color:

Brown/Copper

Red/Burgundy

Display/Harvest Time:

Fall

Fruit Type:

Samara

Schizocarp

Fruit Description:

A schizocarp of two samaras, wings incurved forming an arch, becoming reddish.

Flowers:
Flower Color:

Gold/Yellow

Purple/Lavender

Red/Burgundy

Flower Bloom Time:

Spring

Flower Description:

Flowers are small and red to purple. They are attractive if viewed closely but insignificant from a distance.

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

Serrate

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).