Broadleaf Deciduous Trees

Acer crataegifolium 'Meuri-ko-fuba'

Meuri-ko-fuba Maple

SapindaceaeJapan (Honshu, Shikoku, Kyushu)

At a Glance

TypeTree
HabitUpright
FoliageDeciduous
Height15–25 feet (4.5–7.5 m)
Width12–18 feet (3.7–5.5 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
Maintenancelow

Overview

Acer crataegifolium 'Meuri-ko-fuba' is a deciduous small tree or large shrub reaching 15–25 feet (4.5–7.5 m) tall with a spread of 12–18 feet (3.7–5.5 m), slightly more compact than the species A. crataegifolium. Young stems are green with white vertical striping in the snakebark pattern. Leaves are three-lobed to unlobed, 1.5–3 inches (4–7.5 cm) long, dark green with irregular white to cream variegated markings on the blade surface. The variegation pattern is irregular — patches, streaks, and sector-variegation — and varies among leaves on the same plant. Variegated leaf sectors are more susceptible to scorch than plain-green foliage; full afternoon sun in warm climates causes bleaching and scorch of the white areas. Fall color is orange to red-purple where green pigment is present, though variegated sectors may not color as vividly. Availability is limited to specialist nurseries.

Native Range

Acer crataegifolium is native to Japan, occurring on Honshu, Shikoku, and Kyushu in montane mixed forests at low to middle elevations. The 'Meuri-ko-fuba' cultivar was developed through horticultural selection in Japan and does not occur in wild populations.

Suggested Uses

Planted as a specimen in sheltered woodland gardens, shaded courtyards, and Japanese-style gardens at 15–18 foot (4.5–5.5 m) spacing. The variegated foliage and snakebark stems are most effective in shade where white sectors do not scorch. Availability is limited to specialist nurseries. Not suited to exposed sites, hot-summer climates, or alkaline soils.

How to Identify

Acer crataegifolium 'Meuri-ko-fuba' is distinguished from the species A. crataegifolium by irregular white to cream variegated markings distributed across the leaf blade surface. The small, variably lobed leaf shape and snakebark striping on young stems are shared with the species. Distinguished from A. crataegifolium 'Veitchii' by broader, more irregularly distributed variegation across the blade rather than primarily marginal white variegation; the two cultivars can be difficult to distinguish without direct comparison.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height15' - 25'
Width/Spread12' - 18'

Reaches mature size in approximately 18 years

Colors

Flower Colors

yellow green

Foliage Colors

dark green
white
cream

Fall Foliage Colors

orange
red purple

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~2 weeks
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Spring
Small yellow-green flowers appear in pendant racemes 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 with irregular white to cream variegation; orange to red-purple in fall

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

Partial Shade
Full Shade
Requires 2-6 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; afternoon shade is required in climates with summers above 80°F (27°C) to prevent scorch of the white variegated leaf sectors. Water weekly during the first two growing seasons; established plants tolerate brief dry intervals of 7 days but show scorch on variegated sectors under drought stress. Remove plain-green reverting shoots promptly at their point of origin, as they grow more vigorously and will dominate the plant within 2–3 seasons. Best suited to the Pacific Northwest and cool-summer maritime climates. No routine fertilization is required in amended soils.

Pruning

Prune in late spring to early summer (May–June) after leaf-out. Remove any plain-green reverting shoots immediately upon appearance, cutting to the point of origin. Remove dead or crossing branches. Avoid late summer or fall pruning.

Pruning Schedule

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late spring

Maintenance Level

low

⚠️ Toxicity Warning

Non-toxic