Acer palmatum (Japanese Maple, Japanese Maple Cultivars) | North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox
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.
VIDEO Created by Elisabeth Meyer for “Trees, Shrubs and Conifers” a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens.
