Deciduous And Flowering Trees
Tsuma-gaki Japanese maple
Acer palmatum 'Tsuma Gaki'
'Tsuma Gaki' Japanese maple is especially rewarding in spring, when softly hanging yellow-green leaves emerge with red tips. Summer foliage becomes greener before red and yellow autumn tones appear. Slow growth and a rounded habit make it useful near a sheltered patio or woodland edge. A ten-year plant may reach 5–7 feet tall, eventually approaching 10 feet with room needed around the crown. Choose a position where the delicate foliage can be seen without exposure to drying wind or reflected heat. Organic, slightly acidic, well-drained soil should stay moist through summer. Mulch the roots and keep pruning modest.
Ask about this plantAt a glance
- Mature height
- About 10 ft; 5–7 ft at ten years
- Mature spread
- About 4–8 ft; allow additional canopy room
- Light
- Sun to partial shade
- Hardiness
- USDA Zones 5–9
The right plant, the right place
Make room for something good.
Plant near a sheltered patio, path, or woodland edge where the red-tipped spring leaves can be seen close up. The rounded crown fits smaller garden settings.
Where to plant
Allow room around the crown, including several feet beyond the young plant's branches. Avoid drying wind and reflected heat; afternoon shade is useful on warmer sites.
Through the seasons
Softly hanging spring leaves are yellow-green with red tips. They become green in summer before red and yellow autumn tones develop.
Southwest Washington gardens
Give it a good start.
A sheltered position and regular summer water meet the main needs of this maple in Northwest gardens. Dry wind and hot exposures can damage the leaves despite mild regional temperatures.
Soil, drainage & water
Prefers moist, organic, slightly acidic soil with good drainage. Mulch the roots and check moisture through dry weather, avoiding both prolonged drying and saturated ground.
A little care goes a long way
Growing well, season after season.
Keep pruning minimal to retain the rounded habit. If branches need attention, use dry weather from late fall to midwinter and continue watering during summer dry spells.
Know what to look for
Common growing concerns.
Symptoms can have more than one cause. These notes are a starting point for observing your plant and improving its growing conditions.
Leaf scorch
Brown leaf edges can appear after heat, drying wind, or insufficient water.
Help your plant thrive
Maintain even moisture and shelter the canopy from harsh afternoon exposure. Mulch helps reduce drying around roots.
Persistent wilt
A branch that remains wilted or declines while other growth appears healthy needs closer examination.
Help your plant thrive
Check soil moisture and drainage, then seek a diagnosis. Persistent wilt should be identified before choosing an insect or disease treatment.
A little more inspiration
Keep exploring.
Acer palmatum 'Shishigashira', 1 - geograph.org.uk - 6785425.jpg
CC BY-SA 2.0 · Web-optimized
Lion's head Japanese maple
Acer palmatum 'Shishigashira'
Crinkled green foliage and an upright, sculptural outline distinguish this slow-growing Japanese maple, with gold, orange, and red autumn color in a sheltered garden.
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Japanese Maple
Acer palmatum
A versatile small tree with hand-shaped leaves, varied branching, and colorful autumn foliage; choose each species-grown Japanese maple for its individual form and character.
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Garnet Japanese maple
Acer palmatum 'Garnet'
Finely cut red foliage drapes over a broad, mounded framework, making 'Garnet' a colorful specimen for sheltered patios, garden edges, and generously sized beds.
Explore this plantGood gardens start with a conversation
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for your place.
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