Japanese Maple vs Big Leaf Maple - TreeTime.ca

Japanese Maple vs Big Leaf Maple

Acer palmatum

Acer macrophyllum

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ONLY AVAILABLE BY CONTRACT GROW

Japanese Maple
Big Leaf Maple

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.

Big Leaf Maple has a broad, rounded crown and the largest leaves of all the maples. The pleasant shape and large leaves make this maple a striking and attractive tree. In autumn, the leaves turn vibrant shades of gold and orange.

Big Leaf Maple is a soil building species, meaning that it improves the soil conditions where it grows.

Japanese Maple Quick Facts

Big Leaf Maple Quick Facts

Zone: 5a
Zone: 5a
Height: 6 m (20 ft)
Height: 15 m (50 ft)
Spread: 6 m (20 ft)
Spread: 15 m (50 ft)
Moisture: normal
Moisture: normal, wet
Light: partial shade, full sun
Light: partial shade, full sun
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no
Fall colour: bright red to yellow
Fall colour: yellow to gold
Growth rate: slow
Growth rate: fast
Life span: long
Life span: medium
Suckering: none
Suckering: medium




Other Names: palmate maple, smooth japanese maple
Other Names: big-leaf maple, bigleaf maple, oregon maple