Japanese Maple Acer palmatum

1. 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

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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