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Acer sieboldianum
Siebold Maple
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Overview
Acer sieboldianum is a deciduous tree reaching 15–25 feet (4.5–7.5 m) tall with a spread of 12–20 feet (3.7–6 m), forming a rounded to broadly oval crown, often with multiple stems from the base. Leaves are seven- to nine-lobed (occasionally up to eleven), 3–5 inches (7.5–13 cm) wide, with pointed lobe tips and doubly serrated margins, medium green above and pale green below with soft white hairs on the lower surface and in the vein axils — a consistent distinguishing feature from A. palmatum. Fall color is orange to yellow-orange, lasting 2–3 weeks, and is produced reliably across a wider temperature range than many ornamental maples. Small reddish-yellow flowers appear in pendant corymbs in April–May. Samaras, 0.75–1 inch (2–2.5 cm) long, ripen in September–October. Growth rate is slow to moderate, 8–12 inches (20–30 cm) per year. Reliably hardy to zone 4, where A. palmatum is marginal.
Native Range
Acer sieboldianum is native to Japan, occurring in mixed deciduous and broadleaf forests on Honshu, Shikoku, and Kyushu at low to middle elevations. It is generally found in forest understories and margins on well-drained slopes. Named for Philipp Franz von Siebold, the German botanist who documented Japanese flora in the early nineteenth century.Suggested Uses
Planted as a specimen or small shade tree in zones 4–6 at 12–18 foot (3.7–5.5 m) spacing, particularly in climates too cold for A. palmatum. The orange-to-yellow-orange fall color and refined rounded habit are the primary seasonal features. Suited to woodland gardens, Japanese-style gardens, and residential landscapes in cold climates. Not suited to hot-summer climates above zone 7, waterlogged soils, or highly alkaline sites.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height15' - 25'
Width/Spread12' - 20'
Reaches mature size in approximately 12 years
Bloom Information
Small reddish-yellow flowers appear in pendant corymbs in April–May before or with the emerging leaves. Individual flowers are 0.3–0.4 inch (8–10 mm) across. Samaras, 0.75–1 inch (2–2.5 cm) long, ripen in September–October.Detailed Descriptions
Foliage Description
medium green with soft white hairs beneath; orange to yellow-orange in fallGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
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
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Plant in moist, well-drained, humus-rich to average 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 10–14 days. Performs in zones 4–7; heat tolerance above zone 7 is limited, with leaf scorch occurring when temperatures sustain above 85°F (29°C). Better adapted to cold-climate gardens than most ornamental maples. No routine fertilization is required in adequate soils.Pruning
No routine pruning is required. The rounded crown and multi-stemmed habit are self-maintaining. Prune in late spring to early summer (May–June) after leaf-out to minimize sap bleeding. Remove dead or crossing branches. Multi-stem form can be encouraged or reduced at planting by selective branch removal. Avoid late summer or fall pruning.Pruning Schedule
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M
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late spring
Maintenance Level
very low⚠️ Toxicity Warning
Non-toxicBotanical Flashcard
