Nippon maple is a deciduous shade tree in the maple family (Sapindaceae) native to forests in the mountainous regions of Japan. Nippon maple will grow 20-65 feet tall with a similar spread. Plant in moist, humus-rich, well-drained soil with light to deep shade. Water weekly during dry periods. Spring blooms are long clusters of green flowers that are followed by winged samaras. The large leaves are deeply veined with a rough texture and good fall color of yellow tones. The bark adds additional interest. This tree can be difficult to find at nurseries. Plant it in a shade garden or other large space to account for its mature size and in a location where its interesting bark can be enjoyed. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No serious problems. See potential insect and disease problem fact sheets to the left. Drought and too much sun can cause leaf scorch. The Clemson Cooperative Extension Home and Garden Information Center has a factsheet on common maple diseases and insect pests. More information on Acer .
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day) | Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
High Organic Matter
Soil drainage
Good Drainage
Available space
24-60 feet; more than 60 feet
NC region
Mountains; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 20 ft. 0 in. - 65 ft. 0 in. | Width: 20 ft. 0 in. - 60 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Rapid
Canopy layer
1 - Canopy (>40 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Erect; Rounded
Texture
Coarse
Foliage
Deciduous
Leaf color
Brown/Copper; Green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Opposite
Leaf shape
Cordate
Leaf margin
Doubly Serrate; Lobed
Leaf feel
Rough
Leaf size
3-6 inches long
Hairs present
Yes
Leaf detail
Leaves are 4 to 8 in., opposite, simple and light green with 3 to 5 oval shallow lobes that terminate in a point. The leaves are deeply cordate base, and margins are doubly serrate. Upper side of leaf is rough and almost embossed-looking and has a rusty brown pubescence on underside. Yellow to golden brown color in the fall.
Fall color
Brown/Copper; Gold/Yellow
Flower color
Green
Flower form
Raceme
Flower detail
Attractive long pendulous racemes appear with leaves in the spring.
Bloom time
Spring
Fruit type
Samara
Fruit size
1-3 inches long
Fruit detail
Fruit wings up to 2 inches long, held at obtuse angles, nutlets globose. Seeds are often sterile.
Bark color
Dark Brown; Dark Gray; Green; Light Brown; Light Gray
Bark detail
Green when immature maturing to a smooth reddish-brown color with distinctive lenticels.
Stem color
Green
Stem detail
Intensely green bark on younger stems. The terminal bud is often aborted or lacking.
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Non-native
Origin
Japan
Wildlife value
Members of the genus Acer support Imperial Moth (Eacles imperialis) larvae which have one brood per season and appear from April-October in the south. Adult Imperial Moths do not feed.
Attracts
Moths; Pollinators
Food & Medicine
Harvest time
Fall
Fruit type
Samara
Landscape Use
Landscape location
Naturalized Area; Woodland
Landscape theme
Asian Garden; Nighttime Garden; Pollinator Garden; Shade Garden