Light
Full sun to part shade. In zones 7–8, give it afternoon shade.
Growing guide · Trees
Acer palmatum
How to grow Japanese Maple 'Emperor I'.
Red all summer, and late to the party.
- Light
- Full sun, part sun
- Water
- Moderate
- Zones
- 5–8
- Size
- 12–15 ft tall, 10–12 ft wide
- Spacing
- 10–12 ft from buildings and other trees.
- Pets
- Not pet-safe; keep out of reach
Water
Water weekly the first two summers. Keep the root zone mulched and evenly moist.
Planting and soil
Plant in spring or fall in well-drained soil, slightly high if your soil is heavy. Don't bury the trunk flare.
Feeding
A light, slow-release feeding in spring. Too much makes weak growth.
Pruning
Prune in late winter to remove dead or crossing branches. Keep cuts small.
Through the year
Late leaf-out in spring. Deep red all summer. Scarlet in fall. Bare branches in winter.
If something's off
Leaf scorch in hot, dry, windy spots. Verticillium wilt kills branches suddenly; there's no cure, so avoid planting where it has struck before.
A red maple that waits for spring.
An upright red Japanese maple that leafs out about two weeks later than most, which keeps it clear of late frosts. Deep red leaves hold their color through summer without the usual fade to bronze-green, then go scarlet in fall.
Why we stock it: A red Japanese maple that handles more sun and cold than the usual suspects.
Japanese Maple 'Emperor I'from $99.95 · Arrives alive, or we replace it
Japanese Maple 'Emperor I'from $99.95 · Arrives alive, or we replace it