Japanese Acer Trees

Choose a sheltered, partially shaded spot with well-drained, acidic to neutral soil. Japanese Maples thrive under taller trees that provide dappled morning sun and afternoon shade. Avoid full midday sun or windy, exposed sites, as intense light and drying winds easily scorch the leaves.

Prune Japanese Acers in late winter while dormant (roughly November–January), and avoid pruning in spring or summer, as active growth causes heavy sap bleeding. Make only light cuts: remove dead, damaged or crossing branches to shape the tree, and avoid heavy cut backs or topping, which can weaken it.

In pots use a free-draining, organic-rich mix - for example, a loamy compost enriched with about 10% grit or perlite gives good drainage. Japanese Acers prefer slightly acidic to neutral pH, so add leaf mould or well-rotted bark/compost for nutrients and moisture retention.

Many Japanese Acers thrive in large pots or small gardens when carefully managed. Use a pot only slightly larger than the existing rootball with plenty of added drainage, and keep them moist by watering frequently (daily in hot weather). Repot or root-prune every 2–3 years to restrict growth and refresh the soil.

Keep the soil evenly moist but never waterlogged. Water deeply during dry periods, as container specimens may need daily watering in heat. Mulch around the base with 5–10 cm of organic material (compost, bark or leaf mould) to retain moisture and cool the roots, ensuring mulch does not touch the trunk. Avoid letting the soil becoming bone-dry or remain flooded, as either can stress the tree and cause leaf burn.

Japanese Maples are largely self-cleaning, so they need very little pruning. However, you should prune in winter dormancy to minimise sap bleed, and prune only to remove dead, diseased or rubbing branches and to lightly thin the canopy. Avoid heavy pruning or frequent drastic cuts – less is more – since excessive trimming weakens the tree.

Compact or dissectum varieties are ideal for small gardens and containers. Good picks include laceleaf cultivars like ‘Crimson Queen’, ‘Emerald Lace’, ‘Ornatum’, ‘Orangeola’ and ‘Seiryū’ (all RHS Award of Garden Merit). Upright varieties prized in UK gardens include ‘Bloodgood’ (deep red foliage), ‘Ōsakazuki’ (brilliant scarlet autumn leaves) and coral-bark ‘Sango-kaku’. These all give reliable colour and form in small spaces.