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Very large japanese maple- what variety?

greenwoodframed

8 years ago

We live in NYC and are in hardiness zone 6b.

We recently saw a japanese maple that was VERY tall- likely 30+ feet tall. It had small green leaves and a very traditional looking shape versus the very round/sprawling shapes we've seen on smaller japanese maples. My husband is in love with japanese maples of all kinds, but we've been looking for a shade tree to plant in our backyard and this seems perfect. We were actually on a tree tour when we saw this specific tree and the tour guide said that she's seen japanese maples of this size, but didn't know the specific name of this variety or where we could get one that may grow to that size.

I've spent some time googling but am unable to find the name or a place to purchase such a japanese maple. We plan to stay in our house for many years and will obviously be buying a small tree, but want to ensure that it's able to grow fairly tall and not hug the ground or be shrub-like.

Anyone have any ideas what this type of japanese maple may be called or where I could purchase one? Or know of a resource who may be able to help me figure out how that tree got to be so big?!

www.greenwoodframed.com

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Comments (3)

greenwoodframed
Original Author
8 years ago
I should also mention that the shape of the tree was unlike other japanese maples I've seen pictures of, even tall ones. An adult could easily walk under the tree without hitting any branches. The first set of branches were likely 7-8' off the ground. It didn't show obvious signs of pruning at that height.
cearbhaill (zone 6b Eastern Kentucky)
8 years ago
I'd simply knock on the door of the property and ask them directly.

If they don't know take plenty of photos and then post them here to ask for an ID.
greenwoodframed thanked cearbhaill (zone 6b Eastern Kentucky)
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Most of the red laceleafs will not get as tall as you want (without vertical training) and most will get pretty wide over time. And they generally form rather dense mounds as well :-) What you want is smaller growing upright and these tend to be much less widely available so you may have to do some hunting or mail order. One you should be able to find more easily is 'Fireglow' but it can exceed your desired height slightly (12-15'). Others to consider: 'Livy' - like a dwarf 'Bloodgood' - 9-10' 'Sherwood Flame' - similar size to' Fireglow' 'Heffner's Red' - same as above 'Shaina' - 8-10' 'Twombly's Red Sentinal' - 10-12' with narrow, columnar habit 'Beni Otaki' - 15'. Will bronze out in summer but late season new growth will be very red. Also a ribbon leaf or linearilobum type. Can get you a bunch of smaller suggestions and lot of larger ones but that 10'x10' is a lot harder to do :-)
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gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
8 years ago
Japanese maples are VERY difficult to identify as to specific cultivar. There are literally hundreds of varieties and many share almost identical characteristics. However a very large and well-established tree with just generic green leaves is very likely just a species JM - straight Acer palmatum. These can easily get to be as large as your description. And various JM's will display various growth habits as well, including those with a high branching structure.

Another large growing variety is 'Osakazuki'.

Either of these would be good choice to mimic the appearance of the tree you saw.
greenwoodframed thanked gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)

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