10 Facts Every Japanese Maple Lover Needs To Know

10 Facts Every Japanese Maple Lover Needs To Know

With over 1,000 (yes, ONE THOUSAND) varieties and cultivars including hybrids, the iconic Japanese maple tree is among the most versatile small trees for use in the landscape. As with most fabulous plants, there’s plenty of stories to tell. Let’s get to know these wonderfully elegant, fuss-free beauties a bit better. Here are 10 “did you know” fun facts about a tree for all seasons and reasons.

See our entire collection of Japanese maples here. Do you have this tree in your yard? Tell us why you love it in the comments.

Check out the flowers and winged seeds of this Crimson Queen Japanese Maple (above). It’s a low-branching, dwarf tree with a delicate, weeping form that’s sun-tolerant in cooler regions, and best in a bright dappled shade setting elsewhere. Wonderful for use as a container specimen. FYI–Red Dragon Japanese Maple is reported to be more heat tolerant, but is a slower grower.

THOUSANDS TO CHOOSE FROM BUT...

Autumn Moon Fullmoon Maple

There are lots of Acers but only three species are commonly called Japanese maples, and only two of those are very commonly grown: Acer japonicum which hails from Japan, Korea and Manchuria and Acer palmatum which hails from Japan and eastern China. Some also come from eastern Mongolia, and southeast Russia. (Bonus when you use this in conversation–the third is Acer shirasawanum -also native to Japan. This is Autumn Moon Fullmoon Maple, a variety of this kind of Japanese maple.)

THERE'S ONE FOR JUST ABOUT EVERY GARDEN

Shaina Japanese Maple

Heights vary from dwarf shrubs to small shade trees 20 to 25 feet tall. (Dwarf is a relative term, of course. Some Japanese maples will stay very small but many are just very slow growing meaning they stay small for a very long time.) Shaina Japanese MapleWaterfall Japanese Maple, and Red Select Japanese Maple are good examples.

Need help finding just the right one for your yard? Start here.

GOOD THINGS COME TO THOSE WHO WAIT

OOD THINGS COME TO THOSE WHO WAIT

Japanese maples typically grow just one to two feet per year (which is why it might be wise to buy the largest one you can afford). That said, under the right conditions, they can live to be over one hundred years old. So, it’s a trade-off!

HERE'S A NICE IDEA TO STEAL!

HERE'S A NICE IDEA TO STEAL!

In Japan the maple is called the “autumn welcoming tree” and it is planted in the western portion of gardens (the direction from which fall comes). This is Waterfall Japanese Maple.

THEY "WING" IT

THEY

Inconspicuous flowers are followed by fruits called samaras which are nutlets enclosed in a papery, fibrous tissue that’s in the shape of wings. They are shaped to spin as they fall and to carry the seeds a considerable distance on the wind. Nature thinks of everything!

GRAFTED? SEED? CUTTINGS?

GRAFTED? SEED? CUTTINGS?

Seeds can be collected from Japanese maple trees, but the seedlings are not guaranteed to be exact clones of the parent plant. While these trees can be grown from cuttings, most are slow growing, weak, and difficult to overwinter. Most of the Japanese maple trees you see in garden centers are the result of grafting, wherein the select variety is joined with a seedling grown rootstock so they can continue to grow together. Grafting works well because you are starting with a rootstock that is vigorous and already a year old. (This is Bloodgood Japanese Maple)

THEY'VE TRAVELED FAR TO GET TO YOU

THEY'VE TRAVELED FAR TO GET TO YOU

Development of Japanese maple cultivars started in Japan in the 1700, but were only first seen in the west in 1820 when they were introduced in England. It was likely the straight species, A. palmatum (above).

THEY ATTRACT ALL KINDS OF LIFE TO THE GARDEN

THEY ATTRACT ALL KINDS OF LIFE TO THE GARDEN

Japanese maples are monoecious meaning they have both male and female flowers on the same plant. These flowers are inconspicuous and small, and though they do not attract insects, grouse, quail, and many songbirds adore them. Now the seeds on other hand are on the menu for squirrels, chipmunks and other small mammals.

SOME ARE HARDY TO -15F

SOME ARE HARDY TO -15F

Japanese maples grow best in zones 5 – 8 but can be grown in containers in colder and warmer zones if you can provide appropriate care. In colder zones, allow plant to go fully dormant outside and then bring into an unheated garage or other sheltered, cool area. In warmer zones, place (or in this case plant) a Japanese maple in a shaded location and where it can be protected from drying winds. Neither is guaranteed, but it’s worth a try if this is a must-have plant!

This? Why this is new for 2019 (you’ll have to wait for it till spring)–Velvet Viking™ Japanese Maple is hardy to zone 4 when properly mulched to protect the roots in winter.

LEAVES ARE A DEEP FRIED DELICACY

LEAVES ARE A DEEP FRIED DELICACY

Fried maple leaves are a very popular snack in Osaka, and apparently have been for at least a thousand years. The city of Minoh, located in the north part of the prefecture, is particularly famous for their fried leaves. The maple leaves are dipped and fried in tempura butter, which give them their unique taste. Chefs in Minoh usually store their leaves in barrels of salt for one year, which makes them particularly tasty.

So that’s just a bit of the rich history and diversity of these magical plants. If you have questions or need specific recommendations, please do leave a reply in the comments section below. We’re here to help!

Images:  Fried Maple Leaves

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2018-09-19 12:46:00
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[…] https://growbeautifully.monrovia.com/10-facts-every-japanese-maple-lover-needs-to-know/ […]
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Annette
Very informative.. ap
reply Reply
Gita tafazzoli
Hello, Looking for a japanese maple tree for San Ramon, Ca. I have full sun in the area planting the tree. I prefer a red color tree that grows and spreads like an umbrella. What kind would u recommend. Thank you
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Best Japanese Maples - Top 5 Detailed Reviews | TheReviewGurus.com
[…] https://growbeautifully.monrovia.com/10-facts-every-japanese-maple-lover-needs-to-know/ […]
reply Reply
Susanne
My maple had a large branch where the leaves went brown and stayed on the tree while the rest of the tree was bare. What is the problem?
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Pat Henry
If the Japanese maple appears dead, and is leafing from the bottom. Any way to save it.
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Liliana carrigan
I heave a lot of deers . Which Japanese tree will be good to planted
reply Reply
Shona
I planted a small red japanese maple in front of my house in a rock garden ( it is south facing) the first of July. I noticed it has dry spots on its leaves now. Could the location or the small rocks around it makes the area too hot for it. I live in Silverlake WA not sure of the planting zone I am in. 7-8
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Maria Grobbelaar
Advice please for my Japanese Maple tree in a container....at times we have strong winds blowing. However my tree is in dappled shade not direct sun.....the wind does bother me....as some of my friends say that maple trees do not enjoy strong wind....any truth in this?
reply Reply
bob
nice
reply Reply
Laura Schiller
Our short(ish) Shaina Japanese Maple has always done very well... until recently. We live on the San Francisco Peninsula without great fluctuations in temperature and rainfall; all of a sudden, our tree's leaves have withered and become crispy and it seems a little less robust than normal. Husband confirms its being watered regularly so that shouldn't be the problem. Any idea what might be wrong?
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Harmony Cox
Would this tree grow well in Fredericksburg, Virginia?
reply Reply
Cindy Noble
My Japanese Maple seems to be dying :( I have amended clay soil and am in zone 5 in Michigan. It is probably 15 years old and gets full am sun and afternoon shade. Any tips to help my JP !? Thank you.
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Domenick
I live in Zone 6 in CT and want to transplant my 6 foot japanese lace leaf from a corner in the backyard facing east to the front yard facing west which gets full afternoon sun. Is this a good idea? I think it is an A. Palmatum but not sure. It has green leaves with 7 lobes. A friend gave it to me from their backyard when it was 2-3 feet tall and it's taken 6 years to grow to 6 feet. Any helpful info is appreciated!
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Patricia
I really love maples. I want to plant a red dwarf maple in a front bed. We can get temperatures as low as -9, not often though. Also I live in a sea area, not on the sea front. Is it possible to have one in this situation?
reply Reply
Rhonda Koot
Hi I live in Queensland Australia would be considered zone 9 and I want to grow a Japanese maple next to a native Kauri pine with protection from afternoon sun. I'm looking for a two Japanese smaller compact maples that complement each other and contrast each other and that will tolerate our conditions. What do you recommend
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Joshua
What strain of the Japanese Maple grows well in high humidity like North Jacksonville?
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Joan Grubel
Japanese maple dried up all her leaves. Is it getting ready for winter or died? It was pretty last week red in color.
reply Reply
Charles Veirs
I have a new red Japanese maple and now the leaves are starting to fall is this a normal thing in the fall?
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Grow the most beautiful Japanese Maples – Grow Beautifully
[…] READ:10 Facts Every Japanese Maple Lover Needs to Know […]
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Noeleen Lowe
Our Japanese maple was looking beautiful until a few days ago & now something iseating the leaves. How should we treat it as it is my favourite plant in the garden.Thanking you, Noeleen Lowe
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Sigma Toth
I had a common variety Japanese maple that succumbed to some sort of boring beetle in its trunk which left tiny holes with sawdust left at the entry/exit. We cut it down as it was diseased if not dead. Year later branches sprouted from the roots which had not been removed. Five years later I have a lovely Japanese maple bush comprised of the sprouts which is much more attractive in this spot than the single trunk tree was. Wondering what those bugs were. They have not returned.
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Terry David
Yes, Velvet Viking is hardy, but is it hardy grafted on less hardy root stock?
reply Reply
Marlene Tucker
My daughter planted a Japanese Maple tree two years ago and we had a week of very unusual below freezing temperatures. The tree bark is very red but at the top on the tips of tree the ends are grayish black is this normal she is afraid something is wrong because of the color on tips.
reply Reply
Wesley Dugat
How to care fo jappansse maple tree what to spray for insects
reply Reply
Meg Davies
My maple trees attract many, many bees so I don't think you can say they don't attract insects.
reply Reply
Tony C Cabler
I have a JM in my garden that is so prolific it has sired over 200 babys that grow at least 2 ft a year for some, less than 6" a year for others. In the same space so I know its not the environment. It's as if they come from different trees. But we only have one. I love it and have transplanted them all around the house!
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