Japanese Maple Trees for Sale

One of the most uniform-looking and hardy trees that I have found, is the Japanese Maple. Not only are they easy to maintain because their average height is about four to six feet, but they add a great variety of color to one's outdoor landscaping scenerio, and are breathtaking to invision! While the Japanese Maple tree primarily produces a burgandy shade of leaves during most seasons, it is commonly known for turning glowing and dynamic shades of yellow, orange, and red during the fall season.

This gorgeous tree is also a wise choice for individuals who like to shape their trees. Because these trees can be trimmed to portray a neat and tidy look, or to present a waterfall type effect, they are an extremely unique and interesting plant that seems to kindly grace anyone's garden or lawn. I have found that my Japanese Maples have done extremely well in virtually any weather conditions that have existed on the East Coast, and I have also found them to always be in extremely good health at all times throughout the year.

Japanese Maples are probably no cheaper than many other trees. For a good, new Japanese Maple Tree, you are probably looking at a cost of about a hundred dollars, but I have always found that cost to be well worth the quality tree I am buying! I would recommend this particular tree to anyone who is looking to create a slightly more upperscale look to their front or back yard. This tree is sure to reep much praise from neighbors and visitors, alike!

Below is a brief overview of the ideal conditions for growing Japanese Maples, followed by some detailed recommendations.

Japanese Maples need:

• Dappled or afternoon shade, especially when young


• Protection from strong wind


• Well-drained, consistently moist soil, neither excessively wet nor dry


• Protection from late spring frosts, especially when young

Dappled or Afternoon Shade - A mature Japanese Maple thrives in full sun everywhere but the most extreme areas of its hardiness range, but it also performs well in the shade. Acers need at least some sunlight for the truest foliage colors. It is probably overexposed to sun or wind if the leaves start to scorch. If the fall foliage isn't as colorful as expected, it may be getting too much shade. (But this could be caused by over-watering in late summer and early fall, which might cause the tree to keep producing new green leaves in autumn instead of changing colors as it should.)

Location is important an factor in growing Acers successfully. If you find your must move the tree, The best time is in late summer or early fall, a month before the first frost. Your Japanese Maple will be usually be fine as long as you dig a very wide and deep hole around it and leave as much soil clinging to its roots as you can.

Protection from Strong Wind - The foliage of Japanese Maples is quite fragile, drying out quickly in high winds. Of course, this doesn't mean you have to grow the tree in totally enclosed or protected areas. Just make sure it isn't being whipped around by wind on a regular basis, and it will be fine.

Well-drained, Consistently Moist Soil - Japanese Maples flourish in any well-drained soil except highly alkaline soil. Many gardeners grow them in acidic conditions, where they pair beautifully with Rhododendrons, Camellias, and Kalmias. But they are also perfectly content in neutral and even mildly alkaline pH.

The only other soil concern is salt. Japanese Maples tolerate heavy clays, loose sands, and everything in between, but they do not like salt soils. (Salt spray is another matter; they have quite a good tolerance for that!) If your soil is high in salt, consider growing your Maple in a container.

Japanese Maples are greedy feeders, especially when young. Before planting, work as much compost as you like into the soil around the tree, and keep adding it during spring and early summer. Composted matter not only adds valuable nutrients to the soil, it tends to retain moisture, which Japanese Maples love.

These trees are quite drought-tolerant when mature, but like most young trees, they need regular deep waterings during the first few years. Plan to water heavily twice a week during normal weather and three or even four times weekly in periods of drought. Whether your tree is young or mature, it will grow best in soil kept consistently moist by regular watering and mulching. A 3-inch layer of shredded bark around the entire root zone of the tree (but not touching the trunk) works well in all seasons.

To encourage the most spectacular color show in fall, reduce the amount of water you give your Maple in late summer and early autumn. Of course, do not let it dry out completely, but cut back so that it stops producing more green leaves and begins its fabulous color changes. You will be amazed at the difference this makes!

Protection from Late Spring Frosts - Spring is the season when your Japanese Maple is most prone to damage. It leafs out early -- the first hint of warm weather will cause it to break dormancy. In many climates, there are several frosts in store after that initial warm period, and these can be dangerous, especially to young trees. Keep the tree covered when the forecast calls for frost.

Cascading Falls of Changing Color!

Foliage turns from bright orange, to orange-green, to brilliant red!

This distinctive cascading Japanese Maple changes color three times a year! Its finely-cut dissected foliage emerges in brilliant tangerine shades, then transforms to a two-tone green with an overlay of gold-orange tones in summer, and finally culminates in a fiery red-orange display of fall color. The green and gold-orange summer foliage is further accented by continual bright orange new growth. Its a spectacular effect that leaves you wishing the fall color would never arrive. Orangeola grows into a gently weeping shape that is much more upright in habit than other cascading Japanese Maples but still creates a wonderful effect when allowed to spill over the sides of containers or the edge of a wall. Its a relatively slow grower, only reaching 3 feet tall and just about as wide in 10 years, and makes a great small foundation tree or focal point for small gardens. If youve never grown a Japanese Maple before, Orangeola is a fine choice to get you hooked! Just provide a location in either full sun or part shade with ample water, especially during times of drought, and youll be rewarded with spectacular changing color year after year!

The fern-like foliage is bright green until autumn, when it turns crimson, red, and orange. Every garden deserves the beauty of a Full Moon Maple, but not all gardeners are lucky enough to have the space or live within the hardiness range of this fine tree. 'Aconitifolium' resolves these problems, however, by offering a dwarf habit (just 8 to 10 feet tall and wide at maturity) that fits neatly into today's smaller landscapes OR is compact enough for a large container, so that the tree can be moved to a warm area for winter north of its hardiness range. With richly colored autumn foliage, 'Aconitifolium' is a spectacular little tree.

Before the foliage unfurls in spring, tiny reddish-violet blooms appear all over this well-branched small tree. Acer blooms are never magnificent by any stretch of the imagination, but these are a bit showier than most, visible on the bare branches. They are soon joined by fern-like, deeply cut foliage of bright green, which remains through spring and summer.But the real show begins in autumn, when the leaves turn intense shades of crimson, red, and orange.

'Aconitifolium' has one of the most spectacular autumn displays in the Japanese Maple family, radiating warm tones for many weeks. Be sure to site this tree where you can enjoy its incredible display every day.This dwarf Full Moon Maple may be staked to achieve an upright form, or allowed to grow naturally, which will create a cascading effect of foliage that is most impressive. It fares best in full sun in the northern part of its hardiness range, afternoon shade farther south, and in all climates needs protection from strong wind. Hardy to -10 degrees F, it is not happy in areas where summers are quite hot for a long period. Give it well-drained garden soil of any type, and it will flourish, growing at the rate of about 1 to 2 feet a year until reaching its mature size.

No Leaf Scorch Here - Its Variegation is Superbly Uniform and Stable!

Perfect for containers.

Few Japanese Maples can boast a spring foliage display as impressive as their fall color, but 'Beni Schichihenge' is a wonderful exception. Its new leaves uncurl from crimson stems that keep their color all the way through summer and fall. With 5 to 7 long, slender, pointed lobes, the foliage is striking in shape as well as color, but the dark green base is edged in silvery-white and splashed in pink and orange, for an unforgettable spring display. The white edging remains into summer, and then the tree transforms itself again for autumn. Its name means ""red and changeful,"" and 'Beni Schichihenge' certainly lives up to that with every season.

In autumn, the foliage turns brilliant shades of orange and gold, remaining on the tree for several weeks before dropping. All Japanese Maples are spectacular in the fall, but this one offers colors so bright they seem to glow.The dwarf habit of this tree makes it ideal for smaller gardens and, north of its hardiness range, containers. It reaches just 6 to 8 feet tall and 5 to 6 feet wide in 10 years, making it a fine accent for the front garden, patio, or any high-interest garden area. Put it in a large container on wheels and move it to a temperate location for winter north of its zone 5 hardiness limit; such dazzling color should not be missed.

Best of all, this Japanese Maple is highly resistant to leaf scorch, which has become a problem with many cultivars in today's hotter summers. Give it full sun in the north, afternoon or dappled shade farther south, and its foliage will remain fresh and colorful, unstressed by the brutal summer sun. It's hard to imagine Japanese Maples becoming any easier to care for, but 'Beni Schichihenge' has even achieved this! Don't miss this delightful small accent.

From green-and-pink to pure white, the new foliage on this Maple surprises and delights . . . not to mention the new pink-tinged stems and bark. All Japanese Maples are colorful, of course, but Orido-Nishiki takes the rainbow to new heights with stunning tri-colored spring foliage (coupled with pink-striped stems and bark!) that lasts through summer, then changes to yellow and red for fall. One of the merriest trees you can find for the partly-shaded garden, it is breathtaking in its distinctive beauty.

Every leaf is different, some emerging pure white, others pale pink, and still others a combination of dark and light pink, white, and fresh celery-green. Spring is even more colorful than fall for Orido-Nishiki, for the bark and stems get into the act, sporting dashes of pink among the mahogany and russet tones. And when summer comes, the leaves keep their variegation - no ""greening out"" here.

With the first fall cold snap, they glow in shades of yellow and red. No two are exactly alike, no matter what the season!Orido-nishiki reaches 15 to 18 feet tall and wide over a period of 15 to 20 years. It is a vigorous tree, upright and well-shaped, that thrives best in partial shade. (Don't give it too much shade, however - sun brings out the most spectacular variegation!) Like all Japanese Maples, it is wonderfully indifferent to heat and humidity.Orido-Nishiki is the ideal specimen for that choice position in the front yard, large patio, or backyard nook. It is easy to grow in rich, moist soil, well enriched with organics, and once established is very tolerant of adversity. This is a tree you will love for a lifetime.

Foliage emerges light green in growing season then erupts into bright yellow in Autumn.

The color finale brightens your winter landscape with incredible coral-colored twigs. Also known as a 'Sen kaki,' the famous Coral Bark Maple displays a sensational coral tone on its twigs in winter, making a fabulous display in an otherwise subdued landscape.

The coral red contrasts beautifully against snow, sky, or grass. Delicate foliage is light green during the growing season, brightly yellow in autumn. Growing to 10 feet high and wide, this is a rare horticultural gem that will add distinction to any property! Especially choice shrubs or small trees, Japanese Maples are magnificent in form and foliage, delicately textured in spring and summer, and, in many cases, unequaled in fall color. Very tolerant of heat and humidity, they add year-round interest to the garden.

Their beauty increases with age making them a lifetime investment in the landscape.Wayside is pleased to offer these choice Japanese Maples, most (like 'Sango Kaku') are quite rare in this country, yet all are proven for superb performance in American gardens.

To avoid seeding variation, we offer only asexually-reproduced selections. Spur pruning of established plants will ensure a good growth of young, highly colored twigs for winter display.

Incredible, eye-catching red foliage all summer turning beautiful crimson-red in fall.

Unusual dwarf, bushy, tufted habit and spectacular foliage! Originally discovered as a witch's broom mutation on the popular Japanese Maple 'Bloodgood', the leaves of 'Shaina' are the same dark red all summer, but are clumped in masses for a lovely tufted look. When fall arrives the showy foliage simply intensifies, turning brilliant shades of crimson-red.Especially choice shrubs or small trees, Japanese Maples are magnificent in form and foliage, delicately textured in spring and summer, and, in many cases, unequaled in fall color. Very tolerant of heat and humidity, they add year-round interest to the garden. Their beauty increases with age making them a lifetime investment in the landscape.

Wayside Gardens offer this choice Japanese Maple, a proven performer in American gardens. Expect it to grow 5 feet tall and 4 feet wide within 6 to 8 years. Plant in sun to part shade and well-drained, but evenly moist soil.

Strong Architectural Presence and Glowing Autumn Color.

The famous Lion's Head Maple holds its foliage in interesting tufts. Sometimes called Lion's Head Maple or 'Mejishi', 'Shishigashira' is an unusual, bold addition to a garden indeed! Its deeply curled and crinkled bright green leaves are held in close-knit bunches, adding to the interesting architectural shape of its branches.

Spring brings small reddish-purple flowers, but the densely packed tufts of foliage often conceals them from view. Quite different from most Japanese Maples, Shishigashira develops its fall color much later in the season and is one of the last to flaunt its golden orange and burnished crimson tones. Its ornamental appeal continues into the winter months as its bark takes on a greenish yellow hue.

If you're looking for a Japanese Maple with unusual four-season appeal, Shishigashira is it! Although the Lion's Head Maple prefers a sheltered location in dappled shade, it will develop its strongest autumn color in full sun and demonstrates a great resistance to leaf burn. Reaching just 7 feet in 10 years, its slow growth rate is desirable for training as bonsai or growing in patio containers and small garden spaces.

Acer palmatum 'Ukigumo': Horizontally branched.

The beloved Floating Cloud Maple is a strong and graceful dwarf tree displaying all the beautiful color changes for which variegated-leaved Japanese Maples are celebrated. It tolerates reasonable levels of sunlight without danger of leaf burn, demonstrates a fine horizontally branched habit, and displays three seasons of changing foliage every year. In spring these 5-lobed, evenly divided and delicately serrated leaves emerge nearly white, with pink flushes and blushes. By summer they are green with white markings, and in autumn they turn bold shades from peach to deep red. The colors become more subtle and pastel-hued with age, and the variegation actually increases, making the slow growth of this semi-dense plant a joy. At maturity, 'Ukigumo' has an upright habit 6 feet tall and wide, with short, multi-branched twigs. Ideal for bonsai culture or as a specimen in full sun to part shade.

This Tree is Red - YEAR-ROUND

Winter interest is provided by the branches and stems turning a deep, attractive maroon-red. This exciting new introduction from Ken Twombley of Connecticut has done what no Japanese Maple could do before: provide true four-season interest through its year-round red coloring. -No, it's not evergreen. (That WOULD be amazing!) Instead, when the brilliant burgundy-maroon leaves drop in early winter, they reveal deep red branches and stems on the tree, which keep this brilliant color all season.

There's never been another Japanese Maple like it, and if you add only one new Acer to your landscape this season, we highly recommend it be 'Twombley's Red Sentinel'.The new spring foliage of this witch's broom of A. 'Bloodgood' emerges bright red, remaining for a month or more until the hot weather of summer arrives. Then it burnishes a fine shade of burgundy-maroon that remains throughout summer and fall. Other Japanese Maples begin dropping their leaves as the temperature falls in mid-autumn, but 'Twombley's Red Sentinel' keeps its foliage on the branches weeks later than other cultivars, surrendering them only when winter has truly arrived.

After the leaves finally drop, it's hard to mourn them, because immediately the deep red branches and stems of this tree are revealed. These are not subtle tones and shades; noticeable from across the garden, they are truly bright and vivid. Remarkable! And no matter what the winter weather chooses to inflict on your area, the red tones remain until the new spring foliage hides them again.The habit of this very slow-growing tree is interesting as well. When young it is columnar, becoming vase-shaped after a few years. But by the time it is 10 years old, it has assumed the spreading shape that will eventually create a fine canopy of shade in your landscape: it is 8 feet tall but fully 15 feet wide. The branching is very dense, so it acts as a nice high hedge or privacy screen as well - but it takes time.

Foliage emerges chartreuse in spring, turns deep green for summer, then turns bright burgundy-red in fall!

If you've tried growing very finely-cut-leafed Japanese Maples before, chances are you've not been impressed. I know We've never been satisfied with their garden performance - which is why Emerald Lace is such a welcome introduction. Not only is it spectacularly beautiful, with lacy leaves that turn from yellow-green to deep emerald to bright burgundy with the seasons, but it's a fast-growing, robust little tree that will delight you for decades!

The foliage really does resemble lace, so intricate and fine are its divisions. Casting fascinating shadows on the ground, it emerges a light chartreuse in spring - airy, delicate, and exquisitely lovely! In summer it deepens to the darkest, richest green We have ever seen on this king of Japanese Maple. Then, with the first cold weather of fall, it turns a vivid burgundy-red. The pendulous branches are even magnificent against the winter landscape! For four-season interest, you can't top Emerald Lace!Within 10 years this tree has reached its mature size of 6 feet high and wide.

Best in partial shade, it is an awe-inspiring companion to blue-leafed Hostas and cool pink Heucheras! Or set it in solitary splendor in the front yard, for an unforgettable "landmark" accent plant that will become the favorite of the entire neighborhood.

Emerald Lace was selected as a seedling in Charlotte, North Carolina, and has been wowing plantsmen ever since! Like most Japanese Maples, it is quite tolerant of heat and humidity, growing readily in the sweltering south yet happy right through zone 5 in the north. Tolerant of any soil type provided the drainage is good and adequate water is available, it is an easy-to-grow pleasure for any partly shaded spot! Space trees 7 feet apart.

Highly prized and hard to find form of the species

Spring foliage is a distinctive yellow-green that darkens in summer, with a spectacular blend of orange and red fall foliage occasionally suffused with purple. In summer, bright red fruit often peeks from under dense leaves. Compact of habit, bushy, and freely branched, slowly attaining a mature height of 12 to 15 feet, with a slightly wider spread. Best in semi-shade.

You simply won't believe the beauty of the ever-changing leaves on this stunning, super-vigorous new Full Moon Japanese Maple!

Autumn Moon is not only the most colorful variety yet, but it thrives even in southern climates! Just listen to what the foliage does from spring through fall: the new leaves emerge a deep bronze-infused burgundy in spring, then change to bright chartreuse for summer. However, Autumn Moon keeps the new leaves coming well into summer, so you get tiny bright red leaves right on top of the yellow-green ones all season long! Then in fall, as you might expect, all of the foliage blazes forth in every shade of orange and red!Even if it weren't so breathtakingly beautiful, Autumn Moon would be prized in southern and midwestern gardens, where previous Full Moon Maples have really struggled.

This variety is vigorous, with thicker leaves that keep their stunning "full moon" shape much better and longer! It reaches about 5 feet tall after 5 years, and eventually matures to 7 to 10 feet tall and 10 feet wide.A hybrid out of A. shirasawanum Aureum, Autumn Moon is not yet widely available in this country, so I'm particularly delighted to be able to offer it here.

predict you will love it above all other Japanese Maples in your garden, so please select a choice position in partial sun and get ready to collect the compliments!

Space trees 10 feet apart in moist, well-drained soil high in organic matter. Water well during dry periods. Autumn Moon is not fussy about soil pH.

New Color for Each Season

This tree has been known to live for a century or more! 'Tamukeyama' is an elegant and strong red-leaf Maple, cultivated in its native Japan for nearly 300 years. Beloved and well-tended specimens have been known to live for a century, so this delightful tree represents a landscape legacy that generations will enjoy.

A member of the Dissectum group, it features not only leaves that change shades with the seasons, but maroon bark (brushed with white) on its young branches. Lacy, finely-dissected leaves have 7 to 9 lobes, and mature from crimson in spring to purple in summer and finally to brilliant scarlet in fall. Even in the heat and humidity of an American summer, they will not burn! Growing 8 to 10 feet tall and cascading to 12 to 15 feet wide, the rounded habit forms an elegant silhouette. 'Tamukeyama' is ideal as a specimen, a foundation choice for a large building, or even a container plant.

Each leaf of this rare Japanese maple unfurls a bright chartreuse with red edging

Acer Tsumigaki is an extremely choice subject for the woodland garden. Extremely Rare and Choice. Words nearly failed our Director of Horticulture when he saw this new Japanese Maple. "Unique! Delightful! Beautiful! Stunning!" he exclaimed, and you will, too, when you see the breathtakingly lovely foliage of this special Acer.

The drooping, soft yellow-green leaves are edged in intense reddish-purple astonishing, and the reason why Tsumagaki is considered among the finest of the Japanese Maples (no mean feat, considering there are hundreds of them!). Come fall, the leaves turn a golden-yellow with crimson border. The plants dense, compact, rounded habit reaches some 6 feet high and slightly wider, making it capable of fitting in nearly anywhere; it responds well to formative pruning.Plant in full sun in the North to light shade in the South, in well-drained, slightly acid, organically rich soil. We give Tsumagaki our highest recommendation.

The splendid foliage on this small tree is prized for two reasons: not only does it change color, as Japanese Maples are renowned for doing, but the individual leaves are of different shapes and sizes!

A truly remarkable tree for large containers or garden accents, 'Butterfly' is a treasure.The leaves are deeply lobed and notched, with a base color of sage green and an outline that begins soft pink in spring, then turns white by summer. In fall, the outline becomes crimson a few weeks before the entire leaf turns a rich, blazing magenta. Stunning! But even more interesting than the color changes are the variations from leaf to leaf. No two are just alike in color or shape, creating a very distinctive look. Some leaves are curled and twisted as well, suggesting butterflies, and all are lovely on this upright, well-branched, rather dense 12- to 20-foot-tall, 8- to 10-foot-wide tree.'Butterfly's Japanese name is 'Kocho no mai,' which also refers to a type of dancing girl, and when breezes ruffle the leaves, you can see how the name suggested itself.

The movement of the foliage is truly eye-catching and distinctive - lovely to glimpse through a window or gaze upon from the patio!'Butterfly' thrives in full sun in the north, partial shade farther south. It's a slow grower, giving you plenty of time to enjoy its petite stature and beautiful foliage. It's a fine choice for large patio containers as well as small garden settings. This is a legacy tree, destined to be admired by generations.

The foliage changes and semi-dwarf habit make this one of the most beloved of all Japanese maples!

There's an old saying about the weather here in Texas - if you don't like it, just wait 5 minutes and it'll change! Well, that's about the case with Corallinum, too! The leaves change more frequently than the seasons on this splendid little Japanese Maple, making it one of the most beloved small trees for the home landscape.

If you like brilliant color and plenty of it, you MUST find a place of honor for this showstopper! The show begins in early spring, when the new leaves unfurl a dazzling shrimp pink. 5 to 7-lobed and just begging to be pressed between the leaves of a book and photographed madly, they are exquisitely colorful in the bright spring sunshine. As the weather warms, they burn rich shades of red shot with light green - no two alike, yet all beautiful. And in fall they turn a uniform scarlet so dazzling you'll reach for the sunglasses!The best thing about Corallinum is that even if you've only got a few available feet of garden space, you can squeeze it in.

Just 5 to 6 feet tall and 4 to 6 feet wide at maturity, it's ideal for the patio, either side of the entryway, the foundation planting, or the front-yard accent bed. And it makes an unforgettable impact even in large gardens - nothing else can compare with its foliage changes! The habit is compact and dense, so it makes a big color show in a small space.Corallinum was introduced in England about 100 years ago. It grows slowly, is very tolerant of heat and humidity, and fares best in light shade to protect its leaves from burn. To avoid seeding variation, we offer only asexually-reproduced selections.

Spring foliage sports pink and white accents, while fall is a blaze of yellow!

This hedge or foundation-sized gem is an ever-changing color display from spring through fall, with a nice upright form that lends itself to pruning into desired shape. If you like your Maple leaves colorful, Carnival is the Netherlands's answer to the Japanese Maple!

The show begins when the new leaves unroll in spring on reddish stems. Each is nicely lobed and bright green, delicately outlined in pink and then white around the edges. In the summer, the pink greens out but the white remains, so that your tree looks as if an artist had carefully outlined each hand-shaped leaf for maximum beauty! When the fall chill arrives, the leaves promptly turn every shade of yellow. Very popular in Europe as a hedge, this Dutch tree is just becoming available to American gardeners, and I predict it will cause a sensation. The shape and size are just right for today's smaller gardens.

Carnival is happiest in full sun in the northern portion of its range, partial shade farther south - the high canopy of mature trees or the hour or two of afternoon shade suit it well. And it is t hefinest Maple, bar none, for dry, alkaline soils.

Carnival is a multi-season delight, so be sure to plant it somewhere you can enjoy it every day. At maturity it reaches about 10 feet tall and 5 to 7 feet wide; expect it to reach about 5 feet after 5 years' growth. We sell healthy 2-year-old trees just waiting to take off in your garden! Space these trees about 5 feet apart in ordinary, well-drained soil.

Two Shades of Red Each Year!

Pacific Fire is a slow-growing, upright Vine Maple with petite leaves so variously colored and marked that you'll want to plant it in a conspicuous place to observe the almost weekly changes.

Spring brings new foliage of brilliant strawberry-pink, unfurling all over this well-branched, charming little tree. Just 2 to 3 inches long, the leaves offer slender green veins and an eye-catching overlay of silver. With the warm summer weather they turn entirely green - a rich, deep color that lasts until the first autumn chills arrive. Then they burnish a rich, smoky red!

Pacific Fire makes an awe-inspiring foundation planting as well as a bold solitary accent for the patio or bed. It thrives best in partial shade, but is quite tolerant of heat, humidity, and unseasonable cold.

Autumn is the best time to plant a Japanese Maple. Ideally, you should plant at least a month before the ground freezes, so it has time for some root growth before winter. But if you find yourself planting late, don't worry. Your tree will wait patiently until spring to begin settling into its new home!

After planting, lay down 3 inches of mulch around the tree and keep it well watered until winter.

Unfortunately, late summer and early autumn is the best time to prune your Japanese Maple. It seems unfair to cut it back just as it's coming into its season of glory, but this is really the best time of year to prune. And as you might expect from its widespread use in bonsai, this tree responds very well to pruning, though it certainly doesn't need an annual trim.

We recommend that you inspect the tree annually and remove any dead or crossed branches, lopsided growth, and other unattractive features. If your Japanese Maple is quite dense, you might want to open it up a bit from the center to let more light and air in. And if you like, it can easily be shaped into just about any form that suits your garden. Many gardeners prune Japanese Maples quite heavily when young, to remove multiple stems and create a single-trunk tree.

Unless your weather turns exceptionally dry, reduce the amount of water you give the tree in autumn. This will stimulate better color changes.

And as autumn comes to a close, be sure your Japanese Maple has a nice thick layer of mulch, and pluck off any dead leaves still clinging to its branches.

Winter is a carefree season for Japanese Maples grown within their hardiness range and mulched in late fall. The only concern is heavy snow loads, which might cause some branches to snap. After a particularly heavy snowfall, brush away any large accumulation of snow, being careful not to treat the branches too roughly. Ice, on the other hand, should be left in place. It freezes onto the branches and is best left alone.

Spring is the most vulnerable time for your Japanese Maple. As discussed above, the tree will leaf out early -- often spectacularly! -- and then suffer in late frosts. Keep it covered whenever frost threatens. As soon as the weather settles down, begin a regular watering and feeding schedule.

Summer is the only time you may ever notice pests on your tree, and most of them are completely harmless. If aphids become a problem, treat them with the same pesticide used for Roses, and they will vanish.

During very hot weather you may notice the ends of the leaves drying out and curling. This is unsightly and may indicate that your tree needs more shade, but unless it occurs over a long period every year, it won't be fatal. Stressed-out Japanese Maples have been known to drop every leaf from their branches and still recover beautifully -- usually re-leafing during the same season!

As summer draws to a close, reduce the amount of water you give your Japanese Maple. This will stimulate those magnificent color changes more quickly and intensely.