Plant field guide
Japanese Maple
Elegant ornamental tree with delicate, lacy foliage. Stunning fall color.
Growing requirements
- Scientific name
- Acer palmatum
- Sun
- partial shade
- Water
- moderate
- Height
- 96 in (244 cm) – 300 in (762 cm)
- Spread
- 96 in (244 cm) – 300 in (762 cm)
- Spacing
- Not recorded
- Hardiness zones & minimum temperature
- USDA 5–8; average annual extreme minimum from -20°F (-28.9°C). Hardiness does not predict local frost dates.
- Difficulty
- moderate
Planting & seasonal timing
Northern Hemisphere planting months: not yet verified in our database.
Northern Hemisphere pruning months: February, March.
For the Southern Hemisphere, these seasonal windows shift approximately six months. Check your local frost forecast, soil temperature, and species requirements; calendar months are not a guarantee of planting safety.
Protect from harsh afternoon sun and drying winds.
Pruning
Remove dead, crossing, or rubbing branches in late winter while dormant. Thin to reveal branching structure. Avoid heavy pruning.
Fertilizer
Slow-release balanced (10-10-10)
Early spring as buds swell
Mulch
2-3 inches of organic mulch. Keep away from trunk.