Japanese MapleAcer palmatum

• Habitat

– native to Japan, China, Korea – zone 5 for many, while other

selections are only reliable to zone 6 or warmer

– an understory tree in its natural setting

• Habit and Form – small deciduous tree 15' to 25' – shape can be rounded to irregular – habit and form is variable since

most cultivated plants are various cultivars

– texture fine to medium – growth rate is slow

Japanese MapleAcer palmatum

• Summer Foliage – opposite, 2" to 5" long,

medium green color – 5, 7 or 9 lance-shaped

lobes, palmately arranged – excellent quality summer

foliage • Autumn Foliage

– turning yellow, orange, red or purple

– dependable for fall coloration

– color develops late and leaves hold well

Japanese MapleAcer palmatum

• Flowers – small, red or purple, in

May and June

• Fruit – samaras 0.5" to 0.75"

long – generally reddish

tinged green, but some are just green

Japanese MapleAcer palmatum

• Bark – twigs have green and red,

polished, shiny bark that is showy

– trunk and main branch bark is gray

– stem and bark color is a valuable ornamental feature

• Culture – Full sun to partial shade is best;

shade tolerant – moist, slightly acidic, well-

drained, high organic matter soil is ideal

– often stated to be delicate plants, but probably more adaptable than given credit for

– dislikes hot, dry locations – avoid windswept winter

locations