Trees & woodland lore · Western North Carolina field companion
Japanese maple
Acer palmatum
Whole tree — Acer palmatum. Species reference; the photographed specimen does not confirm the named variety. Age, pruning, and site affect its shape.◐ Part sun or part shadeKrzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz ↗ · CC BY-SA 4.0Photo contextResized and converted to WebP; full original composition retained.
Problems to recognize in WNC gardens. These are documented susceptibilities, not a local outbreak report or a diagnosis. Weather, elevation and growing conditions change the risk.
Diseases & similar-looking injury
Anthracnose can spot leaves; summer scorch and late frost injury can resemble disease.
Insects to recognize
Aphids, scale and leafrollers are occasional visitors. Sticky leaves and curled or tied leaves offer clues.
When to look
Check tender spring growth after frost and foliage during hot, dry summer weather.
A useful first step
Compare damaged and healthy branches. Provide appropriate shelter and moisture; seek a diagnosis for ongoing wilt or dieback.
More growing details
Read the leaves
Usually five to seven pointed lobes spread like fingers. Teeth line the edges; red leaf color is a cultivar trait, not proof of identity.
Read the bark
Young bark is relatively smooth, becoming more textured with age.
Fruit & seed
Two winged seeds form the familiar maple pair; fruit helps confirm the genus.
Winter character
Paired buds and fine branching are useful after the leaves fall.
Origin & place
An introduced garden species or horticultural hybrid; study it as part of WNC landscapes rather than assume it belongs to the native mountain flora.
WNC Notes
A Japanese garden maple with variable leaf color and habit. Protect exposed foliage from drying winds and intense afternoon heat.
Sun Exposure
Morning sun–part shade
MATURE HEIGHT (FT)
15–25
MATURE WIDTH (FT)
10–25
BLOOM SEASON
Spring
BLOOM COLOR
Red inconspicuous
FALL / WINTER COLOR
Crimson
Wet-Soil Tolerance
Moderate
Drought Tolerance
Low
LOOK CLOSELY
Two views, a closer look.
Place two photographs beside one another. Compare the overall plant with leaves, flowers, or bark when those views are available. Captions identify what each photograph actually shows. Images are not at the same scale; species references may show different cultivars.
Whole tree — Acer palmatum. Species reference; the photographed specimen does not confirm the named variety. Age, pruning, and site affect its shape.◐ Part sun or part shadeKrzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz ↗ · CC BY-SA 4.0Photo contextResized and converted to WebP; full original composition retained.Japanese maple leaves; cultivar named by the Wikimedia Commons contributor.◐ Part sun or part shadePhoto by David J. Stang ↗ · CC BY-SA 4.0Photo contextResized and converted to WebP; no diagnostic content altered.Red fall leaves and red samaras (Cabarrus County, NC). Taxon reference; photograph alone does not establish a named cultivar.◐ Part sun or part shadeHope Duckworth ↗ · CC BY 4.0Photo contextResized and converted to WebP; no diagnostic content altered.Red fall leaves and red samaras (Cabarrus County, NC) — species reference; cultivar identity not inferred.◐ Part sun or part shadeHope Duckworth ↗ · CC BY 4.0Photo contextResized and converted to WebP; full original composition retained.Japanese maple bark — species reference; named cultivar identity not inferred.◐ Part sun or part shadePumpkinSky ↗ · CC BY-SA 4.0Photo contextResized and converted to WebP; original composition retained.
Your margin of the garden.
Saved only in this browser on this device. Export your notes from My garden in the library.
