Acer nikoense
Nikko Maple
Aceraceae
ExpandHabitat
- native to Japan and part of China, but uncommon there
- zone 5, probably good in 4 as well
Habit and Form
- small, rounded or vase-shaped tree
- deciduous, 20' to 30' tall
- typically with a single, short main trunk
- relatively slow grower
Summer Foliage
- opposite, trifoliate, with 2" to 4" long leaflets
- leaflets are fuzzy underneath and relatively robust and thick when hardened-off
Autumn Foliage
- can turn reddish or burgundy, but the color is usually yellow with muted red overtones
Flowers
- yellow, not especially showy
- May
Fruit
- felt-covered samaras, 1" to 2" long
Bark
- smooth, nonexfoliating, ash gray and handsome
Culture
- best grown in slightly acid, moist, well-drained loamy soil
- full sun to partial shade
Landscape Uses
- shade or lawn tree for small yard
- specimen
- rare or uncommon plant
Liabilities
- relatively maintenance and problem free
- can be difficult to locate in commerce
ID Features
- large, sharp-pointed terminal bud
- buds often clustered at shoot tip
- bud scales densely pubescent except for brown band at the top of each scale
- pubescent, robust, trifoliate leaves
Propagation
- by seed, but like Acer griseum, the percent viable seed is low
Cultivars/Varieties
- none