skip to main content

Japanese Maple 'Falls Fire'

17 years ago

I've had 'Falls Fire' for two summers now. Light Green spring to Green Green summer, smaller cut leaves than species JM with reports of "spectacular" fall color, with many shades of reds, yellows, oranges. Tree is 6' tall and has been pruned to spread out in an umbrella shape by growers.

First year did not really get any color, but was in more shade. I thought the shade would help the tree have less stress from transplanting. Fall color was very underwhelming, leaves turned dark dull purple-green or dull dark red.

Second year I cut down a weed tree that helped shade it in early April, so the tree had good sun all year, morning through midday til 4pm. The tree got late afternoon shade from the neighbor's tree to the West, which I thought would be good. Kept the tree well watered through the summer. Leaves turned dark dull purple-green or dull dark red then fell in November after most other trees... Below average JM performance it seems.

I'm disappointed with this tree, doesnt provide enough year round interest without fall changes, maybe I'll plant a Paperbark Maple instead. What should I expect from this tree? What can I do to help the fall color? Does this tree have any chance of good fall color in Central Ohio?

Thanks.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (2)

mattlwfowler
17 years ago
I'm not particularly familiar with this cultivar as it is relatively new, and definitely not available here in SC. However, according to Vertrees' Jap. Maples (3rd ed. by Gregory), it should turn "spectacular yellow, orange, and red colors in fall." Everything I've seen seems to say that it has some of the best fall colors available.

Keep in mind that the amount water and soil type affects the fall color. I've also noticed that some early frosts ruin the fall colors on some of my trees, since here in SC it might frost in early September but be 75 in the middle of January.
0
spruceman
17 years ago
Given the description of the discrepancy between the color you are getting and the color described for this tree, I am afraid that there is a great possibility that the tree you bought is not the tree you got.

I have been buying trees for years from all kinds of suppliers, some with the very best of reputations, and more than 8 or 10 times I have gotten trees that were not what was on the label. For example, one time Musser forests, whom I think highly of, sold me English oak instead of burr oak, Forest Farm, whom I also think highly of, sold me swamp chestnut oak in place of burr oak, and a very good local nursery sold me shummard oak instead of scarlet oak. I could go on and on. Last year I was walking around looking at trees at a local nursery and found two or three that were OBVIOUSLY mislabeled--there must have been a larger number of others that I did not notice or did not have the expertise to notice were mislabeled. This is a big problem as far as my experience tells me.

I know some of these Japanese maples are very hard to distinguish based on clear physical characteristics, but perhaps there is some characteristic you can find that will distinguish what you wanted from what you got.

--Spruce
0
Related Discussions
Japanese Maple Bark falling off?
Q
Comments (5)
Sure can't see any significant damage on the above photo. If nothing more than that on the others, I doubt I would worry much......could very well be squirrels. Remove the paper and tape - that can cause more issues than squirrels if left in place! If worried about further damage, you can gently wrap/squeeze some chicken wire or wire screening around the affected portions but I doubt that is really necessary. Bark damage is not critical unless the bark is completely removed all around the entire circumference of the trunk or branches.
...See More
Maple (not Japanese) for Best Reliable Fall Color in Pacific NW?
Q
Comments (3)
Try October Glory. This will become a large tree, as in 60' plus, in time, that like other large-growing maples will be likely to dominate the area it occupies as it grows larger - both in how it affects adjacent plantings and in how it reads as a landscape element.
...See More
Fall in a Northwest Japanese maple and Conifer garden
Q
Comments (18)
Wow, that is a lot of work! I take it your goal is to have your garden look attractive at every stage of its growth? Taking the easy way out and using annuals to fill in where the plants haven't grown enough yet would obviously run counter to your whole design theme. At what point do you decide you won't want to keep moving a plant because of its size, and you'll find it a permanent spot? Also, are you going to have a home for all of these trees once they're mature? Or are you planning to cull a bunch once things get crowded? Your whole style is fascinating, but I can't even wrap my head around how much time and money you must have put into your garden.
...See More
Japanese Maples in the Fall
Q
Comments (4)
Thank you for the compliments. I always thought it would make a good puzzle.
...See More

Related Stories

TREES 11 Japanese Maples for Breathtaking Color and Form

By Jay Sifford Garden Design

With such a wide range to choose from, there’s a beautiful Japanese maple to suit almost any setting

GARDENING AND LANDSCAPING Great Design Tree: Japanese Maple

By Annie Thornton

Lacy form and fiery fall color make Japanese maple a welcome tree for garden or patio

GARDENING GUIDES 12 Japanese Maples for a Sunny Garden

By Jay Sifford Garden Design

The right maple in the right place shines in hot summer sun

TREES Great Design Plant: Coral Bark Japanese Maple, a Winter Standout

By Paintbox Garden

Go for garden gusto during the chilly season with the fiery red stems of this unusual Japanese maple

GARDENING GUIDES 13 Japanese Maples for Shade

By Jay Sifford Garden Design

A surprising variety of these understory trees is waiting to make a statement in your shade garden

PATIOS Backyard Ideas: Writer's Studio and a Japanese-Inspired Garden

By Annie Thornton

A nearby Japanese garden inspires a feature-packed backyard and studio for a work-from-home Portland writer

PLANTING IDEAS Great Garden Combo: Fall Foliage With a Contemporary Twist

This fiery autumnal display relies on simplicity and ample spacing to create a distinctive panorama

FALL GARDENING Houzz Call: Show Us Your Fall Color!

By Annie Thornton

Post pictures of your fall landscape — plants, leaves, wildlife — in the Comments section. Your photo could appear in an upcoming article

FALL GARDENING 11 Trees for Brilliant Fall Color

By Marianne Lipanovich

Give your landscape the quintessential look of autumn with the red, orange and yellow leaves of these standouts

FALL GARDENING 7 Reasons Not to Clean Up Your Fall Garden

By Benjamin Vogt / Monarch Gardens

Before you pluck and rake, consider wildlife, the health of your plants and your own right to relax

Sponsored

Peabody Landscape Group

8 Reviews

Franklin County's Reliable Landscape Design & Contracting

More Discussions

Usugumo HTF : Hard to Find

2

Acer First Flame

3

Nursery Container Mediums - Sand ?

0

Scion Height When Grafting

0