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Japanese Maple Acer palmatum

Other Common Name(s):

Other plants called Japanese Maple:

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

Growth is slow to moderate, and the tree assumes a layered look with a low, dense, rounded top and spreading branches. The texture is medium to fine. Plant in dappled shade and evenly moist, well-drained soil, protecting it from drying winds. 

Leaves are 2 to 5 inches, opposite, and simple with five to nine lobes. Most are deeply lobed. Color varies from green during summer to yellow, bronze, purple, and red in fall (color varies with cultivar). Some cultivars have colorful twigs and young branches. This is a prized specimen tree and one of the more versatile maple species for landscape use. 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.

Use it as a woodland understory tree or as an accent or specimen tree along a walkway in an Asian or children’s garden.

Quick ID Hints:

  • Serrated leaves with five to nine lobes
  • Leaves concolorous, green to red
  • Small deciduous tree to 25 feet
  • Slender green to red twigs; often glaucous bloom 
  • Small, green buds hidden by petiole base; terminal bud often doubled

For weeping varieties, see Acer palmatum 'dissectum.'

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.  The Mid-Atlantic Pest Council lists it as invasive in VA and DC. 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 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:
Michael McCarthy Memorial Garden, All Saints Episcopal, Concord Mountain Ridge Top Garden - North Lawn and Upper Drive Border Shade Garden Sitting Wall Mountain Ridge Top Garden - North Woods Juniper Level Botanic Gardens: Front Shade Garden Shaded Patio Garden Woodland Backyard Garden Walk Floricyle Shaded Slope Rock & Water Garden Patio Room Small Shade Garden Flowers Galore Relaxed Foundation Planting Asian Garden- Zen Garden Rock and Crevice Garden Water Garden in Cabarrus County Collector’s Garden Bonsai Garden in Davidson County
Cultivars / Varieties:
'Ben Komachii', 'Bloodgood', 'Burgundy Lace', 'Crimson Queen', 'dissectum atropurpureum', Garnet, 'Gwens Rose Delight', 'Higasayama', 'Jordan', 'Kagiri Nishiki', 'Kiyohime', 'Koto no ito', 'Mikawa Yatsubusa', 'Mizuho Beni', 'Moonfire', 'Novum', 'Orange Dream', 'Orangeola', 'Osakazuki', 'Oto hime', 'Redleaf', 'Ryusen', 'Sango Kaku', 'Seiryu', 'Shaiana', Sharp’s Pygmy, 'Sherwood Flame', 'Trompenburg', 'Twombly Red Sentinel', var. dissectum, 'Waterfall', 'Yuri Hime'
Tags:
#deciduous#shrub#purple leaves#slow growing#samaras#red leaves#bonsai#yellow leaves#tsc#fall interest#understory tree#dappled shade#bronze leaves#deer resistant#nighttime garden#copper leaves#children's garden#red fruits#playground plant#self-seeding#pollinator plant#larval host plant#deciduous tree#bird friendly#tsc-t#woodland garden#imperial moth#mccarthy memorial garden#landscape plant sleuths course#wildlife friendly#th-sight#cpp
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
'Ben Komachii', 'Bloodgood', 'Burgundy Lace', 'Crimson Queen', 'dissectum atropurpureum', Garnet, 'Gwens Rose Delight', 'Higasayama', 'Jordan', 'Kagiri Nishiki', 'Kiyohime', 'Koto no ito', 'Mikawa Yatsubusa', 'Mizuho Beni', 'Moonfire', 'Novum', 'Orange Dream', 'Orangeola', 'Osakazuki', 'Oto hime', 'Redleaf', 'Ryusen', 'Sango Kaku', 'Seiryu', 'Shaiana', Sharp’s Pygmy, 'Sherwood Flame', 'Trompenburg', 'Twombly Red Sentinel', var. dissectum, 'Waterfall', 'Yuri Hime'
Tags:
#deciduous#shrub#purple leaves#slow growing#samaras#red leaves#bonsai#yellow leaves#tsc#fall interest#understory tree#dappled shade#bronze leaves#deer resistant#nighttime garden#copper leaves#children's garden#red fruits#playground plant#self-seeding#pollinator plant#larval host plant#deciduous tree#bird friendly#tsc-t#woodland garden#imperial moth#mccarthy memorial garden#landscape plant sleuths course#wildlife friendly#th-sight#cpp
  • 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:
    Members of the genus Acer support Imperial Moth (Eacles imperialis) larvae which have one brood per season and appear from April-October in the south. Adult Imperial Moths do not feed. 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:
    Perennial
    Shrub
    Tree
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Habit/Form:
    Broad
    Dense
    Rounded
    Spreading
    Growth Rate:
    Slow
    Maintenance:
    High
    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:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Leaf Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Green
    Purple/Lavender
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Purple/Lavender
    Red/Burgundy
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Opposite
    Leaf Shape:
    Palmasect
    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
    Orange
    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:
    Brown/Copper
    Green
    Orange
    Pink
    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
    Nighttime Garden
    Pollinator Garden
    Design Feature:
    Accent
    Specimen
    Understory Tree
    Attracts:
    Moths
    Pollinators
    Songbirds
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Deer
    Drought
    Problems:
    Weedy