SKU: 00840369420992 Tamukeyama Japanese Maple Tree in a One Gallon Trade Pot

Key Features

• Growth Habit: Slow-growing, weeping deciduous ornamental tree with finely dissected laceleaf foliage and gracefully cascading branches.
• Bloom Color: Small reddish-purple flowers appear in spring but are subtle and not considered a primary ornamental feature.
• Fragrance: No noticeable fragrance.
• Fruit Flavor: Produces small winged samaras ("helicopter" seeds) that are ornamental but not edible.
• Culinary Uses: None.
• Medicinal Uses: No recognized medicinal uses. Primarily grown for ornamental landscape use.
• Possible Toxicity: Generally considered non-toxic to cats, dogs, horses, and humans. While ingestion is not known to be harmful, consuming large quantities of leaves or seeds may cause mild digestive upset.
• Wildlife & Pest Resistance: Provides seasonal shelter for birds and supports beneficial insects. Generally resistant to deer once established, though young trees may require protection. Occasionally affected by aphids, scale insects, spider mites, or Japanese beetles. Good airflow helps reduce fungal disease issues.
• Planting Zone: Hardy in USDA Zones 5–8.
• Sun Preferences: Partial shade to full sun. Morning sun with afternoon shade is ideal in hotter climates to help prevent leaf scorch and preserve rich foliage color. Full sun is suitable in cooler northern regions.
• Drought Tolerance: Moderate once established. Prefers consistently moist, well-drained soil and benefits from supplemental watering during extended dry periods.
• Mature Size: Typically grows 6–8 feet tall with a graceful spread of 8–12 feet.

When and How to Prune

• Prune during late winter while dormant or in mid-summer after spring growth has matured to minimize sap bleeding.
• Remove dead, damaged, diseased, or crossing branches as needed.
• Lightly thin crowded interior growth to improve airflow while preserving the tree's naturally cascading habit.
• Avoid topping or heavy pruning, as this can diminish the elegant weeping form.
• Remove any vigorous upright shoots that develop to maintain the tree's balanced silhouette.

Planting Instructions (1-Gallon Pot into the Ground)

1. Plant in spring or early fall when temperatures are mild.
2. Choose a location with fertile, slightly acidic, well-drained soil protected from harsh afternoon sun and drying winds.
3. Dig a planting hole twice as wide as the root ball and approximately the same depth as the nursery container.
4. Carefully remove the tree from the gallon pot and gently loosen any circling roots before planting.
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 around the roots without compacting.
7. Water deeply immediately after planting to eliminate air pockets.
8. Apply a 2–3 inch layer of organic mulch around the root zone, keeping mulch several inches away from the trunk.
9. Water regularly during the first growing season, especially during periods of hot or dry weather, to establish a healthy root system.

Overwintering Steps

• Tamukeyama Japanese Maple is hardy in USDA Zones 5–8 and generally requires little winter care once established.
• Water deeply during dry autumn weather until the ground freezes to reduce winter desiccation.
• Maintain a 2–4 inch layer of mulch around the root zone to insulate roots and protect them from repeated freeze-thaw cycles, keeping mulch away from the trunk.
• Young trees may benefit from trunk wrap during their first few winters to help prevent sunscald and frost cracking.
• Protect newly planted trees from strong winter winds whenever possible.
• Carefully brush heavy snow from branches to reduce the risk of breakage, but avoid removing naturally formed ice.
• Do not fertilize after midsummer, as late-season growth may be vulnerable to winter damage.

With its graceful cascading branches, finely textured burgundy foliage, and spectacular scarlet fall color, Tamukeyama Japanese Maple remains one of the finest laceleaf maples ever introduced. Whether featured beside a pond, in a Japanese-inspired garden, or as a dramatic specimen tree, this timeless cultivar offers four seasons of elegance and dependable beauty that will enhance the landscape for generations.