Acer palmatum var. dissectum dissectum, laceleaf Japanese maple
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Broadleaf Deciduous Trees

Acer palmatum var. dissectum dissectum

laceleaf Japanese maple

Sapindaceae

Japan, Korea, eastern China (species range; variety has no separate native range)

At a Glance

TypeTree
HabitMounding
FoliageDeciduous
Height6-10 feet (1.8-3 m)
Width8-12 feet (2.4-3.7 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
Container Friendly
Maintenancelow

Overview

Acer palmatum var. dissectum is a botanical variety of Japanese maple with deeply dissected, finely cut leaves and a low, cascading habit. Plants typically reach 6–10 feet (1.8–3 m) tall and 8–12 feet (2.4–3.7 m) wide over many years, forming a broad mound with weeping outer branches. Leaves are palmate with 7–9 lobes, each lobe itself deeply cut into narrow, toothed segments, 2–4 inches (5–10 cm) across, giving the foliage a feathery, lace-like texture. The species-type variety has green summer foliage, turning yellow to orange-red in fall. Like f. atropurpureum, var. dissectum encompasses seedling populations as well as numerous named cultivars — individual plant size, vigor, and fall color vary. Leaf tissue is finer-textured than the species and more susceptible to scorch in hot, dry, or windy conditions. Growth rate is slow: 3–6 inches (8–15 cm) per year in youth, increasing to 6–12 inches (15–30 cm) once established. The plant does not develop a significant trunk for many years; early growth is supported primarily by the cascading branch framework.

Native Range

Acer palmatum var. dissectum has no distinct native range separate from the species. Acer palmatum is native to Japan, Korea, and eastern China, growing as a forest understory tree from near sea level to 4,900 feet (1,500 m) elevation.

Suggested Uses

Planted as a specimen in Japanese gardens, woodland borders, and mixed shrub plantings. Commonly used near water features, on slopes where the cascading branch tips approach the ground, and in containers of at least 25 gallons (95 L). Allow 8–12 feet (2.4–3.7 m) horizontal clearance for mature spread. Slower growth rate makes it more suitable for smaller residential spaces than the species.

How to Identify

Identified by leaves with 7–9 lobes that are themselves deeply cut into narrow, finely toothed segments — creating a feathery, lace-like appearance clearly distinguishable from the broader lobes of the species. The overall plant has a mounding, weeping habit with cascading outer branches reaching toward the ground, unlike the upright to rounded form of A. palmatum. Green-leaved plants of var. dissectum are distinguished from red-leaved dissectum forms by foliage color.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height6' - 10'
Width/Spread8' - 12'

Reaches mature size in approximately 18 years

Colors

Flower Colors

red
purple

Foliage Colors

green

Fall Foliage Colors

yellow
orange
red

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~3 weeks
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Spring
Blooms March through April, with small red-purple flowers in drooping clusters 1–2 inches (2.5–5 cm) long appearing before or with leaf emergence. Flowers last 2–3 weeks and are not ornamentally prominent. Paired samaras 0.5–1 inch (1.5–2.5 cm) long mature and disperse July through October.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

red-purple

Foliage Description

green in summer; yellow to orange-red in fall

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

Full Sun
Partial Shade
Requires 4-6 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 - 6.5(Neutral)
357912
Soil Types
loamsandsilt
Drainage
well drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

15-20 years

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Water weekly during the first 2–3 growing seasons; the fine leaf tissue of var. dissectum is more sensitive to moisture stress than the species and wilts or scorches faster during drought. Apply 2–3 inches (5–8 cm) of mulch outward from the drip line, keeping 4–6 inches (10–15 cm) clear of the trunk. Protect from afternoon sun in zones 7 and warmer — leaf scorch on the fine leaf segments is difficult to reverse mid-season. Avoid high-nitrogen fertilizers; a slow-release balanced fertilizer applied in early spring is sufficient. Verticillium wilt can cause branch dieback; remove affected limbs promptly. Do not plant in frost pockets, as the emerging spring foliage is damaged below 28°F (-2°C).

Pruning

Prune during dormancy (November through January) or in summer (July–August). Remove dead or crossing branches by tracing them to their origin and cutting at the branch collar. The natural mounding, cascading form requires minimal intervention; heavy pruning disrupts the characteristic habit. Thin interior branches lightly every 3–5 years to improve air circulation. Avoid cutting leader branches, which define the mound shape. Do not attempt to force an upright growth habit through pruning.

Pruning Schedule

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wintersummer

Maintenance Level

low

Container Growing

✓ Suitable for container growing

Minimum container size: 25 gallons

⚠️ Toxicity Warning

Non-toxic