SKU: 00840369420916 Red Dragon Japanese Maple Tree in a One Gallon Pot

Key Features

• Growth Habit: Slow-growing, weeping deciduous ornamental tree with finely dissected laceleaf foliage and gracefully cascading branches.
• Bloom Color: Small, inconspicuous reddish-purple flowers appear in spring but are primarily ornamental.
• Fragrance: No noticeable fragrance.
• Fruit Flavor: Produces small winged samaras ("helicopter" seeds) that are ornamental but not grown for culinary use.
• Culinary Uses: None.
• Medicinal Uses: No recognized medicinal uses. Japanese maples are grown almost exclusively as ornamental landscape trees.
• Possible Toxicity: Generally considered non-toxic to cats, dogs, horses, and humans. Ingestion of leaves or seeds is not known to pose significant health concerns, although consuming large amounts of any plant material may cause mild digestive upset.
• Wildlife & Pest Resistance: Provides shelter and nesting sites for songbirds while supporting beneficial insects. Generally resistant to deer once established, although young trees may require protection. Relatively resistant to most pests, though aphids, scale insects, Japanese beetles, and spider mites may occasionally appear. Good air circulation helps minimize fungal issues.
• Planting Zone: Hardy in USDA Zones 5–8.
• Sun Preferences: Partial shade to full sun. Morning sun with afternoon shade is ideal in warmer climates to help preserve leaf color and prevent leaf scorch. Full sun is suitable in cooler northern regions.
• Drought Tolerance: Moderate once established. Performs best with consistently moist, well-drained soil and benefits from supplemental watering during prolonged dry periods.
• Mature Size: Typically grows 6–8 feet tall with a graceful spread of 8–10 feet.

When and How to Prune

• Prune during late winter while the tree is dormant or in mid-summer after spring growth has hardened to minimize sap bleeding.
• Remove dead, damaged, diseased, or crossing branches as needed.
• Lightly thin crowded interior branches to improve airflow while preserving the tree's naturally cascading form.
• Avoid heavy pruning, topping, or excessive shaping, as the elegant weeping habit is one of the tree's defining characteristics.
• Remove any vigorous upright shoots that disrupt the graceful branching structure.

Planting Instructions (1-Gallon Pot into the Ground)

1. Plant in spring or early fall when temperatures are mild.
2. Select a location with fertile, slightly acidic, well-drained soil protected from harsh afternoon sun and drying winds.
3. Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball and approximately the same depth as the container.
4. Carefully remove the tree from the gallon pot and gently loosen any circling roots.
5. Position the root ball so the top sits level with or slightly above the surrounding soil.
6. Backfill with the native soil, gently firming it around the roots without compacting.
7. Water deeply immediately after planting to eliminate air pockets.
8. Apply a 2–3 inch layer of mulch over the root zone, keeping mulch several inches away from the trunk.
9. Water consistently during the first growing season, especially during hot or dry weather, to encourage deep root establishment.

Overwintering Steps

• 'Red Dragon' Japanese Maple is hardy in USDA Zones 5–8 and generally requires minimal winter care once established.
• Continue watering deeply until the ground freezes if autumn rainfall has been limited, as hydrated roots withstand winter conditions better.
• Maintain a 2–4 inch layer of mulch around the root zone to insulate roots and reduce freeze-thaw stress, keeping mulch away from direct contact with the trunk.
• Young trees in colder climates may benefit from wrapping the trunk with tree wrap during the first few winters to help prevent sunscald and frost cracking.
• Protect newly planted trees from strong winter winds that can dry out delicate branches.
• Brush heavy snow from branches carefully if accumulation threatens to cause breakage.
• Avoid fertilizing in late summer or fall, as tender new growth may be vulnerable to winter damage.

With its graceful cascading habit, finely textured burgundy foliage, and brilliant scarlet fall color, 'Red Dragon' Japanese Maple is one of the finest laceleaf maples for adding elegance and year-round interest to the landscape. Whether showcased as a specimen tree, planted beside a pond, or featured in a Japanese-inspired garden, this exceptional cultivar offers timeless beauty with surprisingly little maintenance.