Douglas Maple vs Japanese Maple - TreeTime.ca

Douglas Maple vs Japanese Maple

Acer glabrum

Acer palmatum

ONLY AVAILABLE BY CONTRACT GROW

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON

Douglas Maple
Japanese Maple

Douglas Maple is a fast growing, long lived, ornamental tree. It can take on a shrubby or multi-stemmed form with densely packed leaves, making it an excellent tree for privacy screens and hedges.

In the fall, the leaves make a brilliant change to red, orange, or yellow depending on the tree and its sun exposure. Douglas Maple's compact size makes it ideal for planting in urban yards and under power lines.

Note: This species is currently unavailable. Grow your own using Douglas Maple seeds at SeedTime.ca.

Japanese Maple is one of the most popular accent maples. Its long, fingered lobed leaves can be variegated in the summer with lighter shades of green, red, or even purple. Its autumn colour is a brilliant red that is uncommon in most plants, which adds nice contrast to your yard when planted near other trees.


The Japanese Maple is a diverse variety, there are over 1,000 cultivars with different sizes, shapes, and colours.

This species is extremely popular with bonsai enthusiasts.

Douglas Maple Quick Facts

Japanese Maple Quick Facts

Zone: 3a
Zone: 5a
Height: 8 m (25 ft)
Height: 6 m (20 ft)
Spread: 5 m (15 ft)
Spread: 6 m (20 ft)
Moisture: normal, wet
Moisture: normal
Light: partial shade, full sun
Light: partial shade, full sun
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no
Fall colour: dull red
Fall colour: bright red to yellow
Growth rate: medium
Growth rate: slow
Life span: long
Life span: long
Suckering: none
Suckering: none




Other Names: box maple, dwarf maple, new mexico maple, rock maple, rocky mountain maple, sierra maple
Other Names: palmate maple, smooth japanese maple