Japanese maple
| Japanese maple |
|---|
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| Scientific Classification |
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| Scientific Name |
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Acer palmatum |
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| The Japanese Maple |
The Japanese Maple is a small tree that grows about one foot per year and is one of the most popular trees in Japan. They can also live up to around 100 years of age, depending on how well they are taken care of. The Japanese Maple turns into many different colors.[2]
Body Design
The Japanese Maple have very small leaves with pointy lobes. These leaves turn red, orange or purple during the autumn season. The Japanese Maple is considered to be a pretty small tree in the United States; in the first 50 years of its lifespan, the Japanese Maple grows about one foot per year. They typically grow from 5 to 25 feet tall. The Japanese Maple usually grows better in acidic, rich, and well-drained soil. Boggy soil would not work well for the Japanese Maple. Another thing that would help the Japanese Maple grow better is regular irrigation. In Japan, the Japanese Maple usually can grow up to 50 feet long.[2]
Life Cycle
The Japanese Maples lifespan is determined by how they are treated. If the Japanese Maple has too much sun then their lives will not be as long. The Japanese Maple grows better with shade and good soil. If the Japanese Maple has bad soil, standing water or improper planting then its livespan will not be long. If you improperly plant a Japanese Maple, they could choke themselves because they have bad roots and connect to the root crown and lower stem. If you cut the roots off, fungi could enter and kill the tree. The Japanese Maple can live around 100 years if they are taken care of.[2]
Ecology
The Japanese Maple has been cultivated in Japan for a very long time already. Any of the 23 species of the Japanese Maple are native to Japan but the Japanese maple could also be native to China, Korea, Russia and Mongolia. The Japanese Maple was introduced in Europe where it became famous in the 1800s.[3]
The Japanese Maple likes to live in areas where it's not very sunny and has some shade. They usually like the cold a bit more than the heat. Japanese Maples with red leaves like 4 to 6 hours of sunlight. They also like the evening shade too. However the Japanese Maples with green leaves can take a lot of sunlight. [4]
Others
The Japanese Maple is the cornerstone of gardening in Japan. The Japanese Maple usually grows in a roundish shape tree. They also produce very attractive leaves in the fall and spring. They grow better in groups. Also, they can grow more successfully in a container. Some animals love the seeds produced by the Japanese Maple. Chipmunks and Squirrels are an example of animals that really like the seeds. Also, the seeds, flowers and buds could be eaten by many grouses, quails and songbirds.[5]
Video
References
- ↑ Classification for Acer palmatum USDA Plants Database. Date Unknown. Unknown Author.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Karen Boness Japanese Maple Tree Lifespan: How Long Do Japanese Maples Live. Gardening Know How. Accessed January, 4th, 2016.
- ↑ Japanese maple, Acer palmatum. Bernheim Arboretum and Research Forest. Date unknown. Unknown Author.
- ↑ Where to Plant a Japanese Maple Tree. All About Japanese Maple Trees . Date Unknown. Unknown Author.
- ↑ Japanese Red Maple Acer palmatum. Arbor Day Foundation . Unknown Date. Unknown Author.
