Erich Ritter
The Japanese Maple (Acer palmatum) is a small deciduous tree native to Japan, China and South Korea. It can also be classified as a large shrub as they only grow to average heights of about 6 to 10 m. It is also known as the Smooth Japanese Maple.
Multiple trunks per Japanese Maple is not uncommon, which join very close to the ground. As these trees grow they tend to take on an umbrella, or domed, shape. The leaves can vary in size and shape; they grow from 4 to 12 cm long and sport either 5, 7 or 9 acutely pointed lobes. Japanese Maple flowers grow in small cymes, with the flowers themselves having red or purple sepals and 5 white petals. The fruit of this tree grows in pairs of winged samaras reaching 3 cm in length.
The Japanese Maple can and does show a lot of genetic variation. Even the seedlings of an individual tree can produce trees with different characteristics.
Multiple trunks per Japanese Maple is not uncommon, which join very close to the ground. As these trees grow they tend to take on an umbrella, or domed, shape. The leaves can vary in size and shape; they grow from 4 to 12 cm long and sport either 5, 7 or 9 acutely pointed lobes. Japanese Maple flowers grow in small cymes, with the flowers themselves having red or purple sepals and 5 white petals. The fruit of this tree grows in pairs of winged samaras reaching 3 cm in length.
The Japanese Maple can and does show a lot of genetic variation. Even the seedlings of an individual tree can produce trees with different characteristics.
