Broadleaf Deciduous Trees

Acer crataegifolium

Hawthorn-leaved Maple

SapindaceaeJapan (Honshu, Shikoku, Kyushu)

At a Glance

TypeTree
HabitUpright
FoliageDeciduous
Height20–30 feet (6–9 m)
Width15–20 feet (4.5–6 m)
Maturity18 years

Growing Zones

USDA Hardiness Zones

5 - 8
Zone 5
Zone 6
Zone 7
Zone 8
These zones indicate the coldest temperatures this plant can typically survive.
Frost Tolerancehardy

Key Features

Attracts Pollinators
Maintenancevery low

Overview

Acer crataegifolium is a deciduous small tree or large shrub reaching 20–30 feet (6–9 m) tall with a spread of 15–20 feet (4.5–6 m). The crown is broadly oval with a snakebark character: young stems are green with white vertical striping, fading to grayish-brown on older wood. Leaves are three-lobed to unlobed, 1.5–3 inches (4–7.5 cm) long, dark green with serrated margins, smaller and more variable in shape than most maples — resembling hawthorn foliage, which gives the common name. Fall color is orange to red-purple, lasting 2–3 weeks. Small yellow-green flowers appear in pendant racemes in April–May. Samaras, 0.75–1 inch (2–2.5 cm) long, ripen in September–October. The species tolerates shade better than most maples and performs best in cool, moist climates. Summer heat above 85°F (29°C) causes leaf scorch; performance in hot-summer regions is poor.

Native Range

Acer crataegifolium is native to Japan, occurring on Honshu, Shikoku, and Kyushu in montane mixed forests at low to middle elevations. It grows in partially shaded positions along forest margins and stream banks on moist, well-drained soils.

Suggested Uses

Planted as a specimen in woodland gardens, shaded borders, and small gardens at 15–20 foot (4.5–6 m) spacing. The striped bark provides year-round interest after leaf drop. Best suited to cool-summer climates. Not suited to hot-summer regions, dry exposed sites, or alkaline soils.

How to Identify

Acer crataegifolium is identified by its combination of snakebark stems (green with white vertical striping on young growth) and small, variably lobed leaves, 1.5–3 inches (4–7.5 cm) long, with serrated margins. Leaves range from shallowly three-lobed to nearly unlobed, resembling hawthorn foliage more than typical maple. Distinguished from A. capillipes by smaller leaves and less conspicuously red petioles. Distinguished from A. davidii by the smaller, more variable leaf shape. The striped bark is the most reliable winter identification feature.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height20' - 30'
Width/Spread15' - 20'

Reaches mature size in approximately 18 years

Colors

Flower Colors

yellow green

Foliage Colors

dark green

Fall Foliage Colors

orange
red
red purple

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~2 weeks
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Spring
Small yellow-green flowers appear in slender pendant racemes, 1.5–3 inches (4–7.5 cm) long, in April–May as new leaves emerge. Samaras, 0.75–1 inch (2–2.5 cm) long, ripen to tan-brown in September–October.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

yellow-green

Foliage Description

dark green; orange to red-purple in fall

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

Full Sun
Partial Shade
Requires 3-8 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range5.5 - 7.0(Neutral)
357912
Soil Types
loamsand
Drainage
well drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

15–20 years

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Plant in moist, well-drained, humus-rich soil with a pH of 5.5–7.0 in partial shade to full sun in cool climates. Water weekly during the first two growing seasons. Established trees tolerate brief dry intervals of 7–10 days but show leaf scorch under sustained drought. Best suited to the Pacific Northwest, upper Midwest, and northeastern United States. Summer temperatures sustained above 85°F (29°C) cause leaf margin scorch. No routine fertilization is required in humus-rich soils.

Pruning

Prune in late spring to early summer (May–June) after leaf-out to minimize sap bleeding. Remove dead or crossing branches. The naturally oval crown requires minimal shaping. Avoid late summer or fall pruning. Remove basal suckers to their point of origin.

Pruning Schedule

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late spring

Maintenance Level

very low

⚠️ Toxicity Warning

Non-toxic