Species Coral Bark Japanese Maple
Tree's part with bright green leaves and crimson pink flowers filling the brown branches.

Coral Bark Japanese Maple

Acer palmatum 'Sango Kaku'

The Coral Bark Japanese Maple (Acer palmatum 'Sango Kaku') is an amazing plant. Its bright coral-red bark and green foliage create a stunning contrast, making it a statement piece in any landscape. The bright scarlet color of the bark further develops into a deep red shade as the season progresses. The lush green leaves, in turn, turn various shades of yellow and orange in the fall. It’s easy to maintain and relatively pest-free, making it a great option for anyone looking for a beautiful yet low-maintenance tree. Its slow-growing nature allows it to fit into almost any size garden. With proper care, its beauty can last for generations.

Cycle:

Perennial

Watering:

Average

Propagation:

Grafting Propagation,Cutting,Layering Propagation,Air Layering Propagation,Root Division

Hardiness Zone:

6

Sun:

full sun,part shade

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

gold,red,yellow,orange,pink,coral

Growth Rate:

Moderate

Care Level:

Medium

watering

Coral Bark Japanese Maple (Acer palmatum 'Sango Kaku') should be watered deeply and regularly during the growing season, which is usually from spring to late fall, whenever the top 1-2" of soil become dry to the touch. Depending on temperature, air flow, and how much sun it receives, this might be every week up to every other week. During the winter months, when the tree is dormant, it only needs occasional irrigation; usually, no more than once per month.

sunlight

Coral Bark Japanese Maple (Acer palmatum 'Sango Kaku') needs full sun to partial shade in order to thrive. If given too much shade, it will become leggy and not produce its signature brightly colored bark. The ideal amount of sunlight to give this species is around 4-6 hours of direct sunlight per day. If growing in a hot climate, such as the Southwest, it is best to give the tree partial shade in the afternoon hours when the sun is strongest. This will prevent damage from sunburn and help keep the vivid color of the bark.

pruning

Coral Bark Japanese Maple (Acer palmatum 'Sango Kaku') should be pruned in early spring, before any new growth begins. Pruning should involve removing any damaged or crossing branches, any branches that are growing too close to the center of the plant, and any branches that are growing too close to the ground. Pruning should be minimal, focusing on shaping the tree into its desired form. No more than a third of the tree should be removed through pruning, and it is best to trim the same amount from each side of the tree. Though Coral Bark Japanese Maple is not particularly sensitive to pruning, taking care not to remove too much over a short period of time is important to prevent extreme stress to the tree.

Hardiness Map