Acer palmatum
Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Acer decompositum
- Acer formosum
- Acer ornatum
- Acer pinnatifidum
- Phonetic Spelling
- AY-ser pahl-MAY-tum
- Description
-
The Japanese maple is a short tree of the Sapindaceae 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').
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). Prized specimen tree in landscape. One of the more versatile maple species for landscape uses. Young leaves of this species are sensitive to frost and are not drought tolerant. Most cultivars are grafted and can be grown as a single or multi-stemmed small tree. They may suffer leaf scorch with excess sun, wind, or drought.
This tree is mildly resistant to damage by deer.
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.
VIDEO Created by Elisabeth Meyer for "Trees, Shrubs and Conifers" a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens.
- Profile Video:
- See this plant in the following landscapes:
- Rock & Water Garden Shade Garden Sitting Wall Patio Room Flowers Galore Water Feature Relaxed Foundation Planting Rock and Crevice Garden Small shade garden Shaded Patio Garden Collector’s Garden Water Garden
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Ben Komachii'
- 'Bloodgood'
grafted plant - 'Burgundy Lace' - grafted plant
- 'Crimson Queen'
- Garnet
Graceful small weeping tree with red deeply cut leaves - 'Gwens Rose Delight'
- 'Higasayama' - grafted plant (pink leaf margins)
- 'Kagiri Nishiki'
- 'Koto no ito'
- 'Mikawa Yatsubusa'
- 'Mizuho Beni'
- 'Moonfire' - grafted plant
- 'Novum' - grafted plant
- 'Orange Dream'
- 'Orangeola'
- 'Oto hime'
- 'Redleaf'
- 'Shaiana'
- 'Trompenburg'
- 'Twombly Red Sentinel'
- 'Waterfall'
- 'Yuri Hime'
Red-purple bordered leaves in Spring
Excellent fall color
Coral twigs 'Seiryu'
Red-tipped leaves in Spring - 'Ben Komachii'
- 'Ben Komachii', 'Bloodgood', 'Burgundy Lace' - grafted plant, 'Crimson Queen', Garnet, 'Gwens Rose Delight', 'Higasayama' - grafted plant (pink leaf margins), 'Kagiri Nishiki', 'Kiyohime', 'Koto no ito', 'Mikawa Yatsubusa', 'Mizuho Beni', 'Moonfire' - grafted plant, 'Novum' - grafted plant, 'Orange Dream', 'Orangeola', 'Osakazuki', 'Oto hime', 'Redleaf', 'Sango Kaku' - grafted plant (coral twigs), 'Seiryu', 'Shaiana', 'Trompenburg', 'Twombly Red Sentinel', 'Waterfall', 'Yuri Hime'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Ben Komachii'
- 'Bloodgood'
grafted plant - 'Burgundy Lace' - grafted plant
- 'Crimson Queen'
- Garnet
Graceful small weeping tree with red deeply cut leaves - 'Gwens Rose Delight'
- 'Higasayama' - grafted plant (pink leaf margins)
- 'Kagiri Nishiki'
- 'Koto no ito'
- 'Mikawa Yatsubusa'
- 'Mizuho Beni'
- 'Moonfire' - grafted plant
- 'Novum' - grafted plant
- 'Orange Dream'
- 'Orangeola'
- 'Oto hime'
- 'Redleaf'
- 'Shaiana'
- 'Trompenburg'
- 'Twombly Red Sentinel'
- 'Waterfall'
- 'Yuri Hime'
Red-purple bordered leaves in Spring
Excellent fall color
Coral twigs 'Seiryu'
Red-tipped leaves in Spring - 'Ben Komachii'
- 'Ben Komachii', 'Bloodgood', 'Burgundy Lace' - grafted plant, 'Crimson Queen', Garnet, 'Gwens Rose Delight', 'Higasayama' - grafted plant (pink leaf margins), 'Kagiri Nishiki', 'Kiyohime', 'Koto no ito', 'Mikawa Yatsubusa', 'Mizuho Beni', 'Moonfire' - grafted plant, 'Novum' - grafted plant, 'Orange Dream', 'Orangeola', 'Osakazuki', 'Oto hime', 'Redleaf', 'Sango Kaku' - grafted plant (coral twigs), 'Seiryu', 'Shaiana', 'Trompenburg', 'Twombly Red Sentinel', 'Waterfall', 'Yuri Hime'
- Tags:
-
-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Acer
- Species:
- palmatum
- Family:
- Sapindaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Grafting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Asia: Japan, China, Korea, eastern Mongolia, southeastern Russia
- Wildlife Value:
- Small song birds are attracted to this plant.
- 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
- Woody Plant 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:
- 5b, 5a, 6b, 6a, 7b, 7a, 8b, 8a
-
-
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:
- Woody Plant 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).
-
-
Bark:
- Bark Color:
- Green
- Light Gray
- Red/Burgundy
- Surface/Attachment:
- Smooth
- Bark Description:
- Young stems vary from green to polished reddish brown. Older branches assume a gray cast.
-
-
Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Red/Burgundy
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Form:
- Straight
- Stem Surface:
- Smooth (glabrous)
- Stem Description:
- Glabrous, slender, usually green to red. Tremendous variation in stem color with green leaf trees green to reddish purple, red leaf trees often bright red to blood red to reddish purple. Exceptions arise. Frequently double terminal buds hidden by the base of the petiole.
-
-
Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Recreational Play Area
- Walkways
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Asian Garden
- Children's Garden
- Design Feature:
- Accent
- Specimen
- Understory Tree
- Attracts:
- Songbirds
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Drought
- Wind
