Japanese Maple: Emperor One

Emperor One is a Japanese Maple variety with improved characteristics that looks similar to Bloodgood. This dwarf shade tree offers 3 seasons of rich red to purple color. At maturity, the Emperor Japanese maple can grow to 10-15 feet in height and width.

Inaba Shidare can be described as a magnificent purple or red-colored tree. A compact maple tree that stands between 8 and 10 feet tall, but is about 12 feet at maturity, this tree can be easily grown in small spaces. It is a great Japanese maple that can be used in containers.

Orangeola Japanese Maple

A weeping tree maple, with a stunning red to orange color. This compact maple is only 6-8 feet tall at maturity and can be used almost anywhere. It’s a great lace maple that can be used in pots. Orangeola is the ideal choice in warm climates because it’s heat resistant.

Red Dragon, a dwarf maple that bears red lacy leaf and is stunning in container settings. It grows to about 8 feet tall and wide at maturity.

Tamukeyama’s lace leaf maple, which has won an award, is hardy and compact. Get 3 years of purple and regal red flowers. The Japanese maple matures at 6-8 feet high and 8-12 feet wide.

Viridis, with its beautiful green leaves, is the perfect complement for red and purple Japanese Maple varieties. The dwarf, cascading tree looks great in pots. Viridis Japanese oaks can mature to 6-8 ft tall and 12 ft wide.

You can browse our extensive selection of Japanese Maple Trees here.

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Japanese Maple Trees – A Guide To Popular Acers

Discover the most beautiful Japanese maple trees to make a feature in your garden, and how to take care of them

Image credit: Ian West/Alamy Stock Photo. Published. Japanese maple trees (or Acer palmatum) will add beauty and elegance to any garden. There are many varieties and sizes to choose from, with trees available to suit most situations.

Japanese maples when mature are good for privacy. They are a wonderful addition to backyards. Tammy Sons from Garden Delights Nursery says, “Japanese Maple trees are the epitome beauty. They gracing fine landscapes in the United States and Europe. They’re highly desirable trees and generally require very little maintenance. Acers come in many shades, including bright yellow, deepest red and even dark red.

Japanese Maple Trees That Are Best to Grow

There are many Japanese maple varieties available, however it is essential to select trees that thrive in your region.

You can find the USDA plant hardiness zones map here. Also, make sure that you are able to grow your chosen tree in your particular area. Most Japanese maple trees are suitable for zones 5-8, but some hardier varieties can be planted outside these boundaries.

You should also consider the soil type. Japanese maples prefer well-drained, slightly acidic soil. These trees can be very sensitive to alkaline soils and will not tolerate dry or wet conditions.

The good news about Japanese maples is that they can be grown in pots. This allows you to manage the soil type.

Even in colder regions, you might be able to move the tree potted into a warmer spot during winter.

It is important to consider the size of the mature tree, in order for it to be a good fit for your garden. It can take many years for Japanese maple trees to grow fully. If your garden is smaller, you might consider dwarf varieties.

Japanese Maples in Landscape And Garden

Many people are moving to small gardens or town gardens. This means that trees will be needed. However, most shade trees quickly grow out of control and become a problem in tiny spaces. Japanese Maples are small trees that can stay less than 15 feet high and grow slowly to 20 feet. These trees can be kept in a small size for a long time with some trimming. This also makes them ideal for growing in planter boxes and large containers too, where they can be moved around as needed and where they will not have to compete with larger trees for water and nutrients.

If they grow in large gardens, they will be able to thrive under tall, established trees. Although they are able to grow in shadows or on the side facing the sun, they find it less conducive to their growth. However, they can grow well in open pines and under trees that don’t have dense shade.

Full-sun is also possible for these trees. They will grow a thicker crown, and show more vibrant fall colors. This is a great location for cooler regions. However, in hotter areas it is less likely the leaves will dry out and become shrivelled. Therefore, shade is recommended in zones 7 through 9.

Planting Site

So that your tree is always visible, choose a place where it can be easily seen. While cascading trees are beautiful when placed on slopes, or near water, upright trees can be used as background plants and specimens. This makes them great companions for Azalea Holly Hemlock and other shade-loving plant like Azalea Rhomdendron. You can make a beautiful, special garden beneath huge shade trees with these plants. This will keep you busy throughout the year.

A container, or planter box can be used to grow Japanese maples. You don’t need to make the pot large for young trees. But, remember, that small containers require frequent watering especially in summer. Many containers are available, but ensure that there’s a drain hole in any container. It is possible to transport trees in containers so that they are admired during special seasons.

Many people associate these trees with Japanese or oriental garden designs. But they will fit in any style garden. They make an exceptional impact on any garden, whether it is a woodland or a town’s courtyard. The best thing about Japanese maples is their ability to become even more stunning as they age. Mature trees are a valuable asset. Old trees sell for thousands of dollars.

Japanese Maples Need:

In the shade during afternoons, or when it is young

Protection against strong winds

Well-drained, moist soil. Neither excessively wet or dry

Protection from late spring frosts, especially when young

Dappled, or Afternoon Shade-A mature Japanese Maple grows well in full sunlight. It is tolerant of shade but will tolerate some sun. The best color is achieved by giving it some sunlight, although the exact amount can be varied. If you notice its leaves scorching during the summer, it’s probably overexposed to sun. It could be too shaded if the autumn foliage doesn’t look as spectacular as you expected. This could be a sign that the tree has been overwatered in summer or early fall. The tree will continue to produce new leaves each autumn, instead of changing its colors. After a few years, your Japanese Maple is no longer in the right place. Don’t hesitate to move it. You can grow this tree by using trial-and error. It is best to remove the tree in the late summer, or even early fall. This will allow the ground to freeze for at least one month. Japanese Maples are very flexible. Make sure to make a deep and wide hole around the tree and keep as much soil as possible on its roots when digging it up.

Protection from Strong Winds – Japanese Maples are quite delicate, and their leaves can become damaged quickly by high winds. Of course, this doesn’t mean you have to grow the tree in totally enclosed or protected areas. It will do fine if it’s not being moved by the wind.

Japanese Maples can thrive in every well-drained soil, even those that are very acidic. It is often planted in acidic conditions by many gardeners. They pair well with Kalmias as well as Rhododendrons, Camellias or Camellias. These plants can tolerate mildly to moderately alkaline and neutral pH.

Salt is the other concern for soil. Japanese Maple tolerates heavy clays, loose soils, and all things in between. But they don’t like salt soils. You can salt spray them, though they are quite sensitive to it. A container can be a good option if you live in salty soil.

Japanese Maple are greedy feeders, especially when young. Make sure to add compost around your tree before you plant it. You will continue adding the compost throughout the year. The soil can retain water, and composted matter is a valuable source of nutrients.

While these trees can tolerate drought well when they mature, they will need frequent deep waterings in the initial years. Aim to water the tree twice weekly during good weather, and once or twice weekly during drought. It doesn’t matter if your tree is young, old, or in its final years of life. Your soil should be kept constantly moist through regular waterings and mulching. In all seasons, a 3-inch layer of shredded bark should be placed around the root zone (but not the trunk).

Where To Plant A Japanese Maple

Japanese maples grow slowly and are expensive. Therefore, you need to think about where your Japanese maples will be planted. Also consider how they will be maintained. Although they are native to Japan, China, Taiwan and Korea, Japanese maples can perform well in Zones 5 and 6 if they are planted in the right location. There is a possibility that plants may experience dieback from particularly hard winters. Plant in protected areas, away from winter winds, to avoid potential issues with hardiness. Japanese maples usually emerge in early spring, and they are susceptible to late spring frosts.

Japanese maples are best grown in well-drained acidic soil high in organic material. Even though they can be planted in poor soil their growth is less and the trees will suffer stress more. It is best to place them in shaded areas. Japanese maple leaf is susceptible to scorch when placed in direct sunlight. Scorched leaves often develop brown margins, and can fall off the tree as early to mid- or late summer. You can only plant in full sunshine if you are able to keep the soil evenly moist even during summer heat. Mulching will help to prevent the roots from getting too hot and preserve soil moisture. It is better to plant in the shade. Purple-leaved types can, however, develop a greenish tone that makes it less attractive.

Trimming Japanese Maple (Lace Leaf)

Japanese Maples or Lace Leaf (also called Lace Leaf), are among the most beautiful and valuable trees found in any garden. It is worth taking care of it if you’re lucky enough to own one. You might be tempted to take the choppers out when you see the delicate shape of Japanese maples’ trunk, which is usually revealed in the winter. These trees are difficult and challenging to prune. To work with such trees, it takes skill and talent from a Portland tree-pruning service. That’s why we recommend leaving such fine tree care to professional Portland arborists.

Pruning can be described as both an art and a science. Pruning is a science because it involves knowledge of plant biology and botany. Pruning is an art, because it requires understanding the beauty of plants. An arborist or horticulturist must understand both aspects in order to be successful with the job at hand. Pruning Japanese maples are no exception. Japanese maples need expert pruning by Portland’s most skilled arborists due to their complex branching pattern and position in the landscape. In this article, we will explain why and when Japanese maples can be pruned. We also explore some of the nuances of aesthetic pruning that are necessary to properly care for these elegant trees.

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How to prune Japanese Maple Trees

Winter is the best time for most fruit and ornamental trees to be pruned. Japanese maples need to be pruned during winter. Wait until spring for fine pruning. Summer can also be a good time for removing larger branches and for removing dead, damaged, or diseased wood.

Learn about the tree. Get to know the structure of your tree. How can you prune the branches? Which branch has to be the leader? Is there a competition or are they crossing? What about the overall health of the tree? How do you want the tree to look? To make sure your landscape looks its best, you need to ask these questions. You can’t do it all. Rather than making a mistake that threatens the life of your Japanese maple, contact our Portland tree pruning service for ongoing expertise and support.

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