Maple, Japanese
Acer palmatum
Aceraceae - Maple
Description
Leaves: Opposite; simple; deeply 5- to 9-lobed; 2" to 5" long; deciduous; doubly serrate; green to reddish-purple depending on cultivar; yellow, orange, purple, or red fall color.
Twigs/buds: Twigs green to reddish usually, hairless; thin. Buds green or red; small, hidden by petiole; terminal buds often double.
Flowers/fruit: Monoecious. Fruit a samara; 1/2" to 3/4" long; wings curved in toward one another; fall maturing.
Bark: Green to reddish-purple when young, but grayish when older; attractive.
Wood: Hard; little information available.
General: Native to China, Japan, and Korea. Does not like cold or intense heat. Intermediate shade tolerance.
Landscape Use: Beautiful small tree that has been planted a fair amount in Utah, but is limited by cold and heat extremes. Its foliage texture, fall color, and small size make it very desirable. I have seen one doing well on the USU campus in Logan in a sunken area on the southwest side of a building. I also have three in my front yard on the north side of the house for protection. The cut-leaved variety occasionally suffers frost damage, but so far is still worth having. Best planted where afternoon shade and wind protection are available. Zones 5-8.
Cultivars: Numerous varieties.
Characteristics
General
Family | Aceraceae - Maple |
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Cultivar Availability | Yes |
Hardiness Zone | 5-8 |
Type | Broadleaf |
Utah Native | No |
Growth
Growth Rate | Low |
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Mature Height | Low |
Longevity | Medium |
Is Good Under Power Lines | Yes |
Crown Shapes | Rounded |
Ornamental
Bark | Yes |
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Fall Color | Yes |
Flowers | Yes |
Foliage | Yes |
Fruit | Yes |
Tolerance
Shade | High |
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Salt | Medium |
Drought | Low |
Poor Drainage | Low |
Alkalinity | Medium |
Transplanting | Medium |