Japanese Maple Tree

Japanese Maple (Acer palmatum) is the tree gardeners plant for autumn, when its layered canopy of finely cut leaves turns scarlet, orange and gold. It builds character slowly, reaching about 5m tall and 4m wide in most Australian gardens over 15 years or so, and its fibrous, non-invasive roots let it sit comfortably beside paths, courtyards and even in a large pot.

Why you'll love it

• Autumn colour worth planning a garden around. The fine, hand shaped leaves shift through scarlet, orange and gold before they drop.
• Sculpture in every season. Fresh spring foliage, a green summer canopy and an elegant bare winter silhouette: no off season.
• Roots that stay out of trouble. Non-invasive and fibrous, safe near paving, pipes and pool surrounds.
• Safe around pets. Japanese maples are pet friendly, so fallen autumn leaves are a raking job, not a vet visit.
• Happy in a pot for years. Slow, refined growth makes it one of the best feature trees for containers.

Where it works best

Feature planting. Give it the position the garden is composed around: beside a deck, framing a window view, or rising from a bed of groundcover.

Pots, balconies and courtyards. In a wide container of 500mm or more it stays smaller for years, bringing real seasonal change to a balcony.

Small gardens. About 5m by 4m at full maturity suits suburban blocks where most shade trees outgrow their welcome.

Growing Japanese Maple in Australia

Position and climate. A tree for cool temperate and warm temperate gardens, where it is fully frost hardy. Give it dappled light or morning sun with afternoon shade, sheltered from the hot, drying winds that scorch the fine leaves. It is not suited to the subtropics or tropics.

Soil. Well drained, slightly acidic soil enriched with compost. Mulch 75mm deep to the drip line to keep the shallow roots cool, clear of the trunk.

Water and feed. Consistent moisture matters more than volume: deep soak weekly through the first two summers and never let a potted tree dry right out. Feed lightly with a slow release fertiliser in early spring.

Pruning. Barely any. Remove dead or crossing branches in winter while the structure is visible. The natural form is the point.

What to expect when it arrives

We grow Japanese Maple in a wide range of sizes: tube stock (currently on backorder), 140mm pots in packs of 10, 200mm pots in packs of 6, 250mm pots in packs of 3, and single trees in 300mm, 400mm and 500mm pots through to advanced specimens from 45L to 500L. The 300mm to 500mm sizes are shapely young trees and the usual starting point, while advanced stock arrives with years of structure built. Advanced and large stock is freighted at cost. Deciduous trees delivered in winter arrive bare, and roughly 30cm of growth a year is normal once established.

Plants are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• The essential Japanese maple care guide for Australian gardens
• More plants with true autumn colour
• See Sango Kaku, the coral bark Japanese maple
• Browse plants for cool climate gardens

Common questions

Will it grow in Brisbane or on the subtropical coast?

We do not recommend it there. Humid heat scorches the foliage and mild winters mute the autumn colour. From Sydney south, and in the highlands, it excels.

How fast does it grow?

Slowly, which is part of its value. Expect roughly 30cm a year in good conditions, reaching about 5m over 15 years. Buying an advanced size is the honest shortcut.

Can I keep it in a pot long term?

Yes, for many years. Use a wide pot from 500mm, quality mix, reliable summer water and a root prune every three to four years. Potted trees stay conveniently smaller.

Why did the leaf tips burn in summer?

Hot afternoon sun or dry wind, usually with a dry root zone. Move a potted tree to afternoon shade, improve mulch and watering in the garden. Scorched leaves drop early but the tree recovers.