Acer palmatum Tree

Acer palmatum is a classic Japanese Maple with deeply lobed leaves and pretty autumn colour. Green in summer, the leaves can have 5 to 7 lobes and turn colourful shades of yellow, orange and red.

Growing to 5x4 metres in 20 years, Acer palmatum makes a wonderful feature. It is a hardy Japanese Maple that prefers a sheltered position avoiding wet soil.

AKA  Smooth Japanese Maple

• Common name: Smooth Japanese Maple
• Latin name: Acer palmatum
• Great for: Autumn interest
• Foliage: Lobed green leaves turn yellow, orange and red in autumn
• Height and spread in 20 years: 5 x 4 metres
• Soil: Suits most soil types with good drainage and acidic to neutral pH
• Position: Full to partial sun

Planting Advice For Acer palmatum

Our pot grown Japanese Maples can be planted at any time of year. Remove all weeds and grass within a metre of the planting site, then dig a square hole as deep as the root mass and approximately twice as wide. We recommend sprinkling root grow in the hole to help Japanese Maples establish more effectively, especially if the soil is poor.

Remove the pot and place the root mass in the planting hole so that the surface is flush with the surrounding ground. Using 50% of the original soil and 50% compost, fill in the hole and firm around gently. Use ericaceous compost when possible as this encourages vibrant foliage colour in Japanese Maples.

Finish by watering generously around the base. The tree planting guide has further information and videos.

Watering & Aftercare Advice For Acer palmatum

Japanese Maples require a good watering regime for the first couple of years by watering well and regularly throughout spring and summer. Increase in periods of hot or dry weather. If planting in autumn, you may only need to water a little. If possible, use rain water instead of tap water as this is more acidic and better for foliage colour. We stock a range of irrigation kits for more effective watering.

Keep the area free of competing weeds and grass for the first couple of growing seasons. If there is snow fall, gently brush the snow from the branches to ensure it does not weigh down the framework and cause damage.

Pruning Advice For Acer palmatum

Pruning should be carried out in the dormant season (November to March) as Japanese Maples bleed during other times of the year, which can weaken the branches. Japanese Maples rarely need pruning as their natural shape is normally the most attractive. Any pruning should be carried out with a less is more approach, only removing crossing, damaged or diseased branches.

Delivery Costs

*Free delivery promotion excludes mature trees, extra large kits and delivery to Highlands or Islands. Discount applies at checkout.

Delivery Times

Next Day Despatch
We will always try to get your plants to you as quickly as possible.  For many of our trees and plants, if you order today we will despatch your order within 24 hours.  We are constantly adding to our range of next day plants, and we do not add a surcharge for this service. Click here to see our next day delivery plants.

Standard Delivery
We have one of the widest range of trees in the UK, and for those plants which we cannot despatch next day we will normally despatch within 4 weeks. The despatch time for different products will be confirmed when products are added to your shopping basket

Pre-orders
We will only want to deliver your orders when they are perfect for planting! Depending on the season and how well the plants are growing, we will give our best estimates of the despatch dates for pre-orders.  These dates may vary and by species and while we will always try to deliver within these timeframes if the expected despatch does change then we will notify you by email.

Special Orders
Orders containing pleached or mature trees (trees over 2.5m in height) are delivered within 3 weeks. They require specialist delivery and are grouped geographically. Any customers ordering pleached or mature trees will be contacted and notified of their delivery date.

If your trees are required by a specific date, please let us know as soon as possible; while we can’t offer any guarantees we will always do our best to accommodate you. You can leave instructions in the notes field on the Delivery Page of the Checkout or send us an email at [email protected].

Please note that orders are shipped once all the trees in the order are ready.

Collections
Collections are by appointment only at our West Yorkshire-based nursery. If you would like to place an order for collection, please get in touch before placing your order. You will not be charged a delivery cost for a collection and any delivery cost that has been applied will be refunded.

The product table at the bottom of the page gives the forms and sizes available for this variety. Please note, photos are a guideline as all plants are unique. *Pot sizes may vary. Below are definitions of terms:

Supplied Size: Height measured from the top of the pot.

Single Stem tree: Classic tree with one trunk, pruned for a beautiful, natural shape.

Top grafted tree: A height next to this form refers to the length of clear stem, which will not grow taller. Only the head of branches will develop. Ideal for small spaces.

Feathered tree: Branches from the bottom of the trunk all the way up. These branches can be removed if a clear stem is required.

Multi Stem tree: Two or more stems arising from or near ground level, growing from one root system.

Bush: A plant with many stems low down, rather than one clear stem.

Clump: Several plants in one pot that give the appearance of a bushy multi stem tree.

Climber: Naturally climbing plant. Usually delivered running up a cane, ready to position in the garden.

Standard Tree: A more mature tree with an upright clear stem of approximately 1.8m-2.0m (measured from the soil to the lowest branches of the crown). Standards are available in different forms relating to their girth size (circumference of the stem measured 1m above soil level), not height.