Smithsonian Gardens

Common name: Coral Bark Japanese Maple, Japanese Maple

Family: Sapindaceae (Soapberry)

Synonym: Acer palmatum 'Senkaki'

Distribution: Cultivated

Hardiness: -20 - 20 F

Life form: Deciduous tree

Fall color: Vivid yellow

Foliage characteristics: Opposite, simple, palmate, 5 to 7 lobes; 2" long; yellow in spring, green in summer, yellow in fall

Fruit characteristics: Samaras ripen in late summer to fall

Structure: Rounded

Bark characteristics: Mature, grey; new, bright red to pink

Average height: 20-25'

Description: Sometimes called the Coral Bark Maple, this Japanese Maple is distinctive for its pink-red bark, from which it gets its name (“Sango kaku” refers to forming the shape of coral). Its bark color is most noticeable in the winter and on young branches. The 5-7 lobed, deeply cut leaves of this tree come in yellow-green in the spring, turn green in the summer, and become a vibrant yellow in the fall.