10 Types of Japanese Maples

VIA MERCHANT

What Is a Japanese Maple?

In a recent visit to Illinois, my sister-in-law asked what I was working on. I said a story on Japanese maples. “Oh, I have seven of them in my yard,” she replied, and showed me each.

At first, I wondered why anyone would want seven of one kind of tree. But as the Japanese maple tour proceeded, I understood. These elegant, delicate and colorful trees are spectacular and so varied.

“A Japanese maple is a small ornamental tree, typically used as a specimen or showcase tree,” says Paul Knapp, owner of Landscape Architectural in Davenport, Iowa.

There are hundreds of varieties that entice you with varying sizes and forms. Weeping varieties have dropping branches, upright varieties have branches that grow out and up to 35 feet tall, while dwarf varieties grow two to eight feet tall. Japanese maples produce a small, colorful fruit each spring.

Some Japanese maple leaves are wide and fanning, while others are small, subtle and lacy. Leaf colors include purple, pink, red, orange, yellow, green and multi-colored.

In Japan, the cute hands of a baby may be called “hands like tiny maple leaves.” The shape inspired Swedish botanist Carl Thunberg’s scientific name for the tree, Acer palmatum, in 1820; he likened the leaf to the palm of a hand.

Thunberg introduced Japanese maples to Europe, and they rose in popularity in the late 20th century when the cultivars became available commercially.

Here’s what to consider when choosing a Japanese maple for your yard or garden:

• Space: “Japanese maple tend to do best in an area that isn’t out in the open,” says Knapp. “They often need a little protection from the wind. I like to install them near the corner of homes or garages as an accent piece. If you have larger surrounding trees in and around your space, it can be fine to plant them out in the yard a bit more, as these larger trees act as a shield.”
• Hardiness: Most Japanese maples do best in the moderate temperatures of USDA Plant Hardiness zones 5 through 8. “If you’re out of those zones, it’s possible that a Japanese maple can survive,” Knapp says. “But you may not see it thrive.” Japanese maples have some tree care requirements but few insect or disease problems.
• Size: With height ranging from two to 35 feet,  Knapp says “be sure to check with your nursery or installer to make sure you put in the right tree for the space you have.”
• Color: The color range with Japanese maples is part of the appeal. “The leaf color will stand out among other trees in your space as the color stays fairly consistent throughout the year,” Knapp says. “You may see some slight change from spring to fall, but overall if you have a crimson red leaf in the spring, it’ll be that way in through the fall.”
• Texture: “Some leaves are broad, and some are thin and stringy,” says Knapp. “Depending on your preference, it’s best to research your tree before committing to it.”
• Cost: Varies depending on size of the tree and where you live, says Knapp, “but you’ll find these trees at a nursery selling from $300 to $1,600.”

“All of these Japanese maples are wonderful specimen trees, and they thrive in full sun/partial shade environments,” says Knapp.