PlantFiles: Japanese Maple
Acer palmatum

This tree is one of the most beautiful trees in my garden, but winterhardiness is a problem in my area. Only trees in the most favorable situations will not be set back by frosts in my area. Especially the combination of late spring frosts and burning early sun may result in heavy stem damage. Light shade, and possibly some protections from conifers will protect the trees.
The pure species is more hardy than the cultivars, but may be too large a tree for smaller gardens. Of the japanese maples, Acer japonicum is a bit more hardy than the palmatum cultivars, especially A. japonicum aconitifolium has shown good hardiness.

A. Palmatum - or seedling Japanese Maple is probably the hardiest form of Japanese Maple. If your tree has a name, it's not a seedling Maple and has been grafted which means that it will be true-to-type. Seedlings are, as my Japanese Maple man says "Like Snowflakes". They can grow anywhere from 12 to 40 feet tall and be wider than tall, as wide as tall, dense or open and are most likely to take more sun and wind than the cultivars. Mine are self-sowing and seedlings emerge by themselves. I have three and they are all different but all are in full sun in zone 9. If you have not had success with Japanese Maples, and can find seedlings which are well identified and come from parents that meet your needs, this (these are) is the tree to try.

The flowers and the red seed pods in the spring are very attractive and this tree is less likely to experience leaf burn than most of the cultivars.

Can be easily grown from seed. The seed needs to be pre-chilled by putting it in the fridge, in moist compost, for a couple of months before sowing. Check regularly because the seed will often germinate whilst in the fridge!!

I garden in the Mid-Atlantic and Japanese Maples are very easy to grow here, as are all maples. Pretty, little trees with a graceful shape, deeply cut, burgundy leaves and stems and red leaves in fall. They like very cold to cool winters, and are tolerant of varying summer temperatures. They like moderate to heavy rainfall and are not what I'd call "xeriscape" plants. They like a normal to rich or hummusy soil. They don't mind neutral soils but seem to love acidic and also thrive in very acidic soils, (NOT a plant for alkaline soils). They require minimal to no, pruning, although you can prune in late winter/early spring to guide its shape. They like sun to shade, but hate scorching sun. They even do well in almost full shade. They set seed if two trees are present, but I have no experience in growing from seeds. A beautiful plant for the east.

In our neighborhood, these are lightning rods and are often struck, killing them. Tend to be short-lived.

Deciduous tree from China, Korea and Japan.

Has 5-9 lobed, mid green leaves. Young leaves can bear some reddish colours and in Autumn the leaves turn all colours between yellow and red. Bears very small, red/purple flowers and winged seed.

Likes a moist but well-drained, fertile soil in sun or light shade.

Must have shelter from cold and/or strong wind which will burn and kill young leaves.

In areas where the temperate drops below 15F mulch the roots in Autumn.

Makes wonderful bonsai subjects and good spot trees for sheltered garden.