Maple Tree (Japanese Maple)

Scientific Name: Acer palmatum Thunb. (Original species / Green Maple)

Aliases: Japanese Maple, Smooth Japanese Maple, Green Maple

Seedling Classification: Sapindaceae, Acer - Deciduous small tree / Ornamental foliage tree

1. Variety Characteristics

• Plant Morphology: Deciduous small tree with an elegant, umbrella-shaped crown; branchlets are fine and hairless, green or purple; leaves are palmately 7–9 deep lobes, lobes are oblong-lanceolate with doubly serrated edges. Leaf color is bright emerald green in spring and summer, turning to vivid orange-red or crimson in autumn.

• Flowers and Fruit: Purple flowers in terminal cymes (April–May); samaras are purple-red when young, turning yellowish-brown when mature (September–October).

• Seasonal Performance: Delicate tender green in spring → thick emerald shade in summer → red leaves covering branches in autumn → ancient wood silhouette in winter; it is a world-renowned autumn foliage tree species.

2. Ecological Habits

• Light: Prefers light shade, highly shade-tolerant; avoid intense direct sunlight (western exposure), as leaves easily scorch under strong light.

• Soil: Prefers loose, fertile, well-drained acidic to neutral humus soil; avoid waterlogging and saline-alkali soil.

• Resistance: Relatively cold-hardy (can overwinter in open fields in the Yellow River basin and further south); slow growth rate, relatively few pests and diseases.

3. Engineering Application Scenarios

• Courtyard Landscape: A core plant for Chinese and Japanese style courtyards, often paired with ornamental stones, moss, and cascading water to create a Zen atmosphere.

• Forest Edge Planting: Used as a skeleton tree species for forest edge landscapes, combined with Red Maple, Dissectum Maple, and evergreen trees to enrich the skyline.

• Bonsai Creation: Vigorous stems that are easy to shape make it an ideal material for high-end bonsai creation.

4. Seedling Quality Indicators (Example - Engineering Specimen/Container Seedling)

5. Planting and Maintenance Key Points

• Planting Period: Best from leaf fall to before budding (November to March of the following year); container seedlings can be planted year-round.

• Pruning: Prune diseased, dry, and overcrowded branches during the dormant period annually; focus on maintaining a natural and elegant posture, avoid aggressive topping.

• Water and Fertilizer: Prefers moist conditions; replenish water timely during dry periods; apply organic fertilizer in spring, and control water and nitrogen after autumn to facilitate the transition to red leaf color.