Proper identification of a Japanese maple leaf can be quiet difficult due to its similarities with other forms of maple trees and a few other plants. The following article will explain some of the key characteristics of a Japanese maple leaf and some of the concerns that may lead to a Japanese maple leaf growing unhealthy or misshapen.

Commonly a Japanese maple leaf varies in coloration between green red or a purplish hue ranging to even a yellow or orange depending on the season. These colors can vary with the season with the reds orange and yellow colors generally appearing in the fall.

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The leaves themselves vary by species, with some appearing quite thin and intricate, these leaves form an almost lacy pattern and give the tree itself a real character. There are solid green leaves in some species which look very similar to a traditional maple tree save for the very precise tips at the end of each of the 5 main lobes the leaf has. There are also variations on the Japanese maple leaf that have very thin lobes which look similar to a tropical plant and extend each outward from the stem onto a very finely tipped point. In many cases classifying these leaves can be quiet difficult given the variety of species. The best way to classify a potential Japanese maple leaf is to look at the list of species or ask an expert as there are so very many different leaf variations among the different species.

These trees can be found in north America though they are not a native species to the area. As long as the tree is not exposed to cold winds it will flourish and if wrapped in burlap during the cold the leaves will remain full and the tree can remain healthy. If a Japanese maple is exposed to extreme cold it can potentially die off. It is possible to find a Japanese maple leaf in north America but keep in mind the tree was most definitely planted by someone and did not grow there naturally.

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If you see dead tan areas on a Japanese maple leaf, it is quite possible that the tree or leaves are being fed off of by aphids. Aphids can infest the Japanese maple and in some cases cause the leaves to shed prematurely. Japanese maple trees can also become scorched in direct sunlight. It is always better placed in a bit of shade as these trees can dry out quite quickly. Keeping a Japanese maple protected from the elements is crucial to it’s survival.

As you can see there are a large number of different variations on Japanese maple leaves. Keeping track of these is best done by using reference material to educate yourself on the exact formation and variations of the different species and their leaves. Keeping in mind where Japanese maples can grow can help you to identify the leaves as well, and by looking at the leaves for any signs of unhealthiness in the leaves it is possible to ensure that a Japanese maple not only survives but thrives in a garden.

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There are a number of different types of Japanese maples available for purchase. Although they may look similar the leaves can change into very different colors which can lead to different effects for your garden.

Japanese Maples

As well some species of Japanese maples are a little tougher and heartier than others and grow into different sizes. With over 23 species it can be very hard to keep track of all the types of Japanese maples. The following article will explain the differences between a few species of Japanese maples.

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Japanese maple cultivars have placed the species of Japanese maple into 6 groups by their leaf type:

Amoenum Group: This type of Japanese maple generally has the fullest leaves. Species such as the osakazuki are in this classification.

The leaves will resemble that of a Canadian maple but with more defined tips, in general this group is one of the more hearty forms of Japanese maple and is a bit more resistant to cold and wind.

Matumurae Group: These are considered one of the most elegant types of Japanese maple. The leaves in general are almost completely divided at the stem.

The thin leaves are large enough to give the tree real depth and it usually blooms purple towards the fall, while smaller leaves may not create the same depth of color the matumarae group has dainty leaves which are big enough to really block in the color of your garden.

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Palmatum group: These are usually found in the wild and have fairly thick leaves as well. They don’t have quite the same base as the amoenum group but they do have much finer points and an interesting color contrast between the reddish stems and the green leaves in the summer and spring.

Dwarf Group: These are much smaller forms of Japanese maple which are perfect for smaller gardens. Their leaves seem to vary, but for the most part they are all fairly thin and dainty.

A dwarf Japanese maple is great for adding a bit of color to a small garden, because it will not completely take over like some shrubs.

Dissectum group: These leaves are very lacy, almost comparable to seaweed in the thickness.

Because of this it creates a lovely texture as well as color contrast in a garden. Having a small Japanese maple from the dissectum group can change things up and draw the eye. The leaves are quite susceptible to frost, but look great when they come out.

Linearilobum group: This form of leaf resembles a tropical plant almost, with extremely pointed leaves which are divided at the base of the stem. This type of Japanese maple is great in hot conditions and can break up a garden dominated by mostly green plants.

The leaves resemble more of a bush than a tree and are great for changing the look of a garden or backyard.

As you can see there are many different types of Japanese maples. There are plenty of different options to use these trees to add a spot of color to your backyard.

By using this guide you can select the type of leaves and tree you want so that you can get the best species of Japanese maple for your personal needs.

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When setting your garden apart from others that may exist in the neighborhood or just doing something different than you have done previously, a good place to start is by breaking up the garden with new color and foliage.

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Where flower arrangements can bring a touch of contrast in a garden one way to compliment the look of a nice flower arrangement is to compliment it with a small tree.

One of the most colorful and unique trees you can add to your garden is the Acer Palmatum dissectum tamukeyana, or weeping Japanese maple. The following article will briefly explain some information on this plant and how to care for it.

Weeping Japanese Maple

The weeping Japanese maple is categorized as a medium sized tree or large shrub which generally reaches a height of about 8 ft with at maximum a 12 ft spread.

The leaves are shaped in a lace pattern and are colored in a purple hue during the summer months turning red towards autumn.

Because of this colorization and massive change in color throughout the seasons this tree is perfect for accenting your garden and adding color to your flower arrangements.

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When caring for a weeping Japanese maple one of the top concerns for owners has to do with the climate the tree is in. This species of tree does not do well in temperatures which reach less than negative 20 degrees Fahrenheit.

At this temperature the tree will very quickly die off. Instead the weeping Japanese maple thrives in warmer temperatures. During colder snaps and when exposed to frost and cold winds, it is always a good idea to wrap this species of tree in order to preserve its health and leaves.

Be sure that it is planted in such an area where it will not be exposed to excessive amounts of cold. As well the tree should be planted in indirect sunlight as it can dry out quite quickly if placed in direct sunlight, indirect sunlight is especially important as the tree is settling and in the early stages of growth.

"Waterfall" Weeping Japanese Maple

One of the most interesting characteristics of the tree are its long lasting leaves. Although the colors will change with the season, the weeping Japanese maple is one of the first trees to bud and bloom in the spring, as well it will be one of the last trees to lose its leaves during the colder months of winter.

With such a long lasting life of the leaves it is sure to provide color for your garden long after many of the plants die off and before annual plants have a chance to bloom.

The weeping Japanese maple is a lovely addition to any garden, providing it with lots of color, while remaining small and manageable as to not completely take over the garden itself is a huge advantage to getting one of these trees.

With the correct placement and in the right type of climate this tree is sure to thrive and provide your garden with a look which is very unique.

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Quite often when it comes to creating a colorful decorative garden arrangement most of the arrangement begins with some flowers and maybe some ferns to break it up. Many won’t think of using a tree to break up a garden arrangement and add color to your garden.

The Acer Palmatum Osakuzuki is a form of Japanese maple, the leaves are a darker red and it can look great in a garden especially when complimented with a nice arrangement of flowers. The different shaped leaves create a lovely contrast unlike other maples which may bud and bloom larger more conventional leaves, which don’t particularly add much in the way of color or texture to a garden.

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In autumn this tree will begin to turn a vibrant red color which will make for a drastic color contrast in your garden. Here is some information about this species of tree.

Acer Palmatum Osakazuki (resource:http://pnwplants.wsu.edu/)

The Acer Palmatum Osakazuki, like many Japanese maples can be a bit finicky, but will thrive in the right conditions. It requires a partially shaded spot which can be protected from cold winds. A cold snap can really damage one of these trees so it is important to wrap them if you feel that the weather is going change, or that frost may be on the way.

The leaves of the Acer Palmatum Osakazuki make interesting patterns and can look beautiful when they finally come out in spring. The leaves will form a very unique pattern on the branches, quite different to many of the other trees that may be in your yard.

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The colors can be a vibrant bright red in the fall, and some of the leaves even have a partial green and red pattern to them. It really can be a standout in your garden. The tree will take a while to grow, a Japanese maple generally only grows to a height of 19 feet maximum and will take many years to eventually grow that high. It is good for a small garden because it should not take over like a larger maple may.

Planting an Acer Palmatum Osakzuki first requires choosing the right spot, where it will be protected from wind and still receive enough sunlight. Be sure to stake the tree if it is young to ensure it grows correctly. Mulch at the base is also a good idea as it can protect the tree from frost in the beginning stages.

Be sure to water it fairly consistently within the first few weeks so that it can thrive and create a good root system. Remembering to wrap the tree in burlap if the weather turns cold or frost is expected, will also protect the leaves from being lost due to cold.

Planting one of these trees can change your garden arrangement drastically and give you a nice manageable maple tree to enjoy year round without having it take over your backyard completely. With some other forms of maples, the leaves are simply uncontrollable in the fall. The Acer Palmatum Osakuzuki, once established is a fairly low maintenance and beautiful small tree.

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By Michael J. McGroarty, Perry, Ohio Copyright 2011

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Japanese Red Maple seedlings are a really hot item in the nursery business, but allow me to explain exactly what a Japanese Maple seedling is, because people do get confused.  Japanese Maple trees can easily be grown from seed and we do have instructions on how to do that on this site.  When a Japanese Maple is grown from seed it is obviously a seedling.

What many people don’t realize is that many of the Japanese Maples they see in yards and businesses in their daily travels are not seedlings.  Some of the most beautiful Japanese Maples are actually grafted plants.  In other words a cutting is taken from a known and named Japanese Maple and grafted onto a seedling.  When grafting, the cutting that you take from the desired plant is called a scion.  Before you can do any grafting you have to first have a seedling to graft onto.   So the seedling plays a much more important role than most people realize.  When it’s used for the purpose of grafting, the seedling is called the root stock, or under stock.  Root stock is probably the most common term and often appears as one word.  Rootstock.  Which is correct, root stock or rootstock?  I don’t know, you know me, I just love Japanese Maples and don’t get caught up in grammatical details!

When Japanese Maples are grown from seed you cannot predict exactly what the tree is going to look like.  If you collect seeds from an upright Japanese Maple with green leaves, then more than likely you will get a tree that very much resembles the parent plant.  Upright tree, green leaves.  If you collect the seeds from a tree with deep red leaves there’s a really strong chance that you will get some seedlings that have deep red leaves in the spring and some of them will hold that color throughout the summer, depending how well the parent plant actually held its deep red color during the summer months.   But you will also get some seedlings that have green leaves and some will have red leaves in the spring but loose much of that deep red color as the growing season progresses.  In other words, the leaf color of seedlings can vary quite a bit.

As far as ornamental value is concerned there is not much demand for a regular Japanese Maple tree with green leaves.  Some people like them and would be happy to have such a tree in their yard, but most people want a Japanese Maple with deep red leaves.  However, green seedlings are still in high demand on the wholesale nursery market because nursery owners buy them to use as rootstock for grafting.

The most common species of Japanese Maple is Acer palmatum.  Another is Acer japonicum but palmatum is by far the most popular.  All maple trees are in the Acer family.  The terms palatum or japonicum distinuish trees that are commonly called Japanese Maples.  For a detailed explanation of plant nomenclature see this page.

Seedlings from a palmatum variety make a suitable rootstock for grafting any of the other palmatum varieties onto.  So even though Japanese Maple seedlings are really among the most generic of the Japanese Maple family, the seedlings are always in high demand for a number of reasons.  One, they have great value to nursery owners or others who want graft.  Secondly, the seedlings with red leaves sell really well.  Not only as small seedlings, but if grown onto to more mature trees they sell well because they are often sold at a lower price than the named, more in demand varieties.

What most people don’t realize is that most nursery owners don’t grow their own Japanese Maples from seed.  There are nurseries that specialize in growing seedlings, and many nursery owners would much rather buy the seedlings they need for grafting or to line out in the field.  For the most part seedlings are fairly inexpensive.  I am writing this article in the fall of 2011 and right now the current price of acer palmatum (green leaves) is about 55 cents per tree, for a tree that is 1/8″ in diameter.  Seedlings with red leaves sell for more, but are still slightly over a dollar each.  I’ve got some ordered for this fall and I’m paying $1.35 each for them and they are about 24″ tall.

The reason the green ones are sold at 1/8″ in size is because many grafters consider 3/16″  to be the ideal size for grafting.  After those 1/8″ seedlings are grown for one season prior to being grafted they would be the ideal size, 3/16″ to 1/4″ in diameter.

This seedling is the size of the ones that I buy for $1.35 each.

I take seedlings with good red color like the one shown above and plant them out in the field.  After four or five years at the in the field I have really nice 42″ trees that quickly and easily sell for $45.00 each or more.  I’m a Japanese Maple lover, I’d much rather put money into small Japanese Maples than I would the stock market.  But, that’s just me.

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Japanese Red Maple, Acer Palmatum atropurpureum

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By Michael J. McGroarty, Perry, Ohio Copyright 2011

Most gardeners have no idea how many different kinds of Japanese Maples there are in the world.  Some are aware that there are several different varieties, but most have no idea as to how many there really are.  As close as I can tell there are over 250 different named varieties of Japanese Maples.  Some are similar in appearance, others are very different and totally unique.  That’s what makes collecting these incredible trees so much fun!

The Japanese Red Maple seedling shown in this photo isn’t quite the most generic form of Japanese Maple, but it’s close.  About the only thing that is more generic than this is Acer palmatum which looks just like this but the leaves are green.  Even though they are very generic in appearance, they are literally the foundation that the world of Japanese Maples is built upon because they are so often used as rootstock in the grafting process.

You see, most of the beautiful and breath taking Japanese Maples that you see are not growing on their own roots.  The more desired varieties cannot be grown from seed and getting them to root is very difficult if not impossible..  So the easiest way to reproduce one of these most desirable plants is to take a cutting from the desired variety and “graft” it on to the roots of a Japanese Maple grown from seed.  You can collect seedlings from all Japanese Maple trees, but anytime you grow a plant from seed you get the most generic variety of the species.

Acer palmatum Atropurpureum

The young seedling in the above photo is a perfect example of how tough these little trees are.  This is a fall photo and you can see that this tree looks great.  You should know that this tree has been growing in full sun and was watered with overhead sprinklers and all too often it had to be watered during mid day because when we planted in the spring we did not have a good water supply so we had to water when we could.

Fortunately Mother Nature has given us a little bonus when it comes to Red Japanese Maples.  Often times if you collect seeds from a tree with deep red color the seedlings that those seed produce will often have good red color.  Some will be green, but you should get some red ones.  That’s why I consider it a bonus from Mother Nature.  On this site I have an extensive article about growing Japanese Maples from seed; http://japanesemaplelovers.com/growing-japanese-maples-from-seed/

Japanese Red Maple Seedling

Another fall image.  As you can see the new growth has spectacular red color and
in the background you can see the much deeper red on the more mature leaves.

The Japanese Red Maple tree is kind of an elusive dream for many gardeners because when they see them for sale in their local garden centers they are often quite pricey.  I have two goals with this website.  I want to introduce gardeners to the wonderful world of Japanese Maples, showing them through pictures and video the wide variety of Japanese Maples that the world has to offer.  And at the same time I want people to realize that they don’t have to just dream about owning one or several of these beautiful trees.  On this site we will show you to grow them from seed, how to graft your favorite variety onto  a rootstock, we’ll proably do some summer budding as well, and we will bring together Japanese Maple enthusiasts and vendors who can sell you these beautiful trees at a small affordable size.

Believe it or not, when I buy just a standard Japanese Red Maple tree from one of my wholesale suppliers I only pay about $1.35 each for them!  At the time of this writing I’ve got 2,000 ordered for spring and will probably add to that order before the ship.  When I buy the really rare varieties the wholesale prices range from $8.00 each up to $15.00 each.  Occasionally I spend $30 on something really rare.

Now I can’t promise that you can get them at those prices.  You have to be a member of the trade, and you have to buy in quantity.  But what I’d love to see happen through this website is that members here can get in on some of the deals through our network of vendors that we are going to establish here.  My dream is make it possible for our members to build their own collection of Japanese Maples at the most reasonable prices possible.

People are so envious when they see my beautiful collection, but then when I show them how inexpensive they are when I buy them at small sizes they just can’t believe it.  So I suggest you stay tuned because I am going to work really hard to find ways to put some of the most beautiful varieties into your hands.  No promises, but that’s my goal and I’m quite confident that we can make it happen.

Not only do I have a really nice collection in my yard, but I also have a small nursery here in Perry, Ohio where we specialize in Japanese Maples and the collection in the nursery is growing all the time.  Spend some time looking around http://japanesemaplelovers.com, you’ll quickly realize how magical these beautiful trees are and how addictive growing and collecting them can be.  Enjoy the ride!  -Mike McGroarty

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By Michael J. McGroarty, Perry, Ohio Copyright 2011

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Japanese Maples are one of the most impressive plants in the plant kingdom, and as you will discover here, I have a bit of a passion for them. Enjoy my Japanese Maple Collection!

I have to apologize for the audio part of this video.  The little camera that I was using will not accept an external microphone so the wind was causing some issues while I was recording.  In the future I’ll shoot a better video because since this was shot my trees have grown and my collection has grown considerably.  -Mike McGroarty

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