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Fullmoon maple

Acer japonicum

Common names:
fullmoon maple, full-moon maple, downy Japanese maple

Content Detail

Fullmoon maple is very similar in appearance to the true Japanese maple (Acer palmatum). It varies in size by cultivar and can be a large shrub or a small tree. The divided foliage, small, dangling purple flowers, and fall color make this a multi-season tree.

  • Family (English) Soapberry (formerly Maple)
  • Family (botanic) Sapindaceae (formerly Aceraceae)
  • Planting site Residential and parks
  • Tree or plant type Tree
  • Foliage Deciduous (seasonally loses leaves)
  • Native locale Non-native
  • Size range Large shrub (more than 8 feet), Compact tree (10-15 feet), Small tree (15-25 feet), Medium tree (25-40 feet)
  • Mature height 20-30 feet
  • Mature width 20-40 feet
  • Light exposure Full sun (6 hrs direct light daily), Partial sun / shade (4-6 hrs light daily)
  • Hardiness zones Zone 5 (Northern Illinois), Zone 6 (City of Chicago), Zone 7
  • Soil preference Acid soil, Moist, well-drained soil
  • Other tolerances Alkaline soil
  • Season of interest early winter, midwinter, late winter, late spring, early fall, mid fall
  • Flower color and fragrance Purple, Red
  • Shape or form Round
  • Growth rate Moderate
  • Transplants well Yes
  • Wildlife Insect pollinators
  • Has cultivars Yes

More Information

Native Geographic Location and Habitat

This tree is native to Japan, China, and Korea. This is an understory species.

Bark Color and Texture

On the main trunk, the bark is smooth gray. The twigs are green or red and shiny.

Leaf Description

Leaves grow in pairs (opposite) and are simple. They are rounded in outline, have 7 to 11 lobes, and are 3 to 6 inches wide and long. Leaf margins are irregularly toothed. Their color is medium green in summer, changing to red and yellow in fall.

Flower Description

Flowers are small, reddish-purple, and not very showy.

Fruit Description

Fruits are pairs of winged seeds (samaras), often tinged with red or purple.

Care Knowledge

Plant Care

Do not prune maples in spring as they are ‘bleeders.’ Avoid planting in very hot, dry, or windy sites.

Pests, Diseases, and Tolerances

Frost damage can occur to leaves as they emerge in spring. Verticillium wilt is a potential problem for maples.

Cultivars

Fern-leaved fullmoon maple (Acer japonicum ‘Aconitifolium’)

This small cultivar is 8-10 feet high, has deeply dissected foliage, and excellent red fall color.

Grape-leaved fullmoon maple (Acer japonicum ‘Vitifolium’)

This cultivar has foliage resembling grape leaves, whose fall color is red, orange, and yellow. The tree grows 20 feet high.

Green Cascade fullmoon maple (Acer japonicum ‘Green Cascade’)

This is a shrub-like cultivar (6 feet high) with a weeping form and deeply dissected green leaves that turn red in fall.

Photo Gallery (5)

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