In fall, the foliage turns bright scarlet. These major categories of Japanese maple can give you some ideas of what’s out there to help you make a more informed selection.Īmoenum - This tree has bright green leaves with seven distinct lobes. Next, you have the two different types of foliage discussed above, and, finally, leaf color preference. Their forms can be weeping, rounded, dwarf, mounding, upright, or cascading.

When it comes to Japanese maple tree identification, knowing how you want to use your tree can help you pick the right variety for you. While there are hundreds of different Japanese maple varieties, there are only a few major types that we can separate by leaf shape and design, as well as color. The more green or even pink color will signify younger shoots, while the gray color is visible on older limbs. Its smooth bark can be greenish to gray in color. The Japanese maple tree usually has several trunks rather than a single, central trunk. Others begin and maintain a red color and then deepen to burgundy in the autumn. Some leaf out in spring in ruby red and then become green in summer, turning orange or bronze and gold in fall. And the foliage ranges from red to green to purple or burgundy and orange, depending on the season. You can separate Japanese maple leaves into two shape categories: palm-shaped or delicate and lacy. The stars of the Japanese maple tree are its leaves. It thrives in partial shade, needing some protection from the harsh afternoon sun. In the wild, these trees can grow upwards of 20 to 35 feet, but in the home landscape, they stay in that 15- to 25-foot height and 20-foot spread. Just like the name implies, the tree originated in Japan, but these trees are known to grow wild across Korea and Mongolia hillsides, as well. The Japanese maple tree is a member of the maple family. Let’s learn more about types of Japanese maple trees and Japanese maple care, so you can choose the right species for your yard and ensure it remains a healthy addition to your space for years to come. With a bit of attention given to the right planting location and some minimal care, Japanese maples can thrive, giving your home a unique highlight that dazzles in your garden. They even offer upright forms or cascading ones, fitting in with a variety of landscape styles. They offer a great variety of leaf colors, shapes, and textures, and there are dwarf sizes that can fit in most spaces. When it comes to show-stopping ornamental landscape trees, Japanese maple trees are at the top of many homeowner's lists.

Differentiating types of maple trees