Species full moon maple
Eye-catching, maple red-orange leaves grown on a red-brown stem.

full moon maple

Acer japonicum 'O-isami'

The Full Moon Maple (Acer japonicum 'O-isami') is an amazing tree with a unique beauty. Its large leaves feature serrated edges and greyish fur underneath its deep green upper sides. As the sun shines, the leaves shimmer with a golden hue that appears to be painted golden hues with a brush. In fall, its foliage displays outstanding hues of red, yellow and orange. It is also noteworthy for its unique and attractive yellow bark that peels off in patches for a stunning display. Its strong branches make it a perfect shade tree, and its upright growth pattern makes it an excellent specimen or feature tree. It is well suited for landscaping applications and urban yards, as well as beachfront areas. It can tolerate a variety of soil conditions and needs only moderate water and fertilizer. The Full Moon Maple truly is a magnificent tree.

Cycle:

Perennial

Watering:

Minimum

Propagation:

Cutting,Grafting Propagation,Layering Propagation,Air Layering Propagation,Division,Seed Propagation

Hardiness Zone:

5 - 7

Flowers:

Purplish-red Flowers In Spring

Sun:

full sun,part shade

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

green

Growth Rate:

Low

Maintenance:

Low

Care Level:

Medium

watering

Full Moon maple plants should be watered deeply every 10 days when temperatures are warmer, or every 2 weeks when temperatures are cooler. However, during cold weather, it is best to allow the soil to dry out slightly between waterings. When watering, it is important to water the roots of this plant, not the leaves, in order to prevent leaf spotting and other damage. It is also important to avoid over-watering, as this can cause root rot.

sunlight

A full moon maple (Acer japonicum 'O-isami') needs 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight per day for optimal growth. Some variegated varieties of full moon maple may need a bit less sunlight to avoid leaf scorch. Aim to provide your full moon maple with bright, but indirect light during the morning hours and direct sunlight for the afternoon. If possible, place your full moon maple in a location that receives direct sunlight for about 4 to 5 hours each day. Partial shade is also suitable for full moon maples, and could prevent injury from too much sunlight.

pruning

Pruning the Full Moon Maple (Acer japonicum 'O-isami') should be done each year in late winter or early spring. Before initiating pruning, inspect the tree for dead, diseased, or insect-infested branches to remove. Aim to create a balanced system of strong branches that create an oval canopy. To do this, remove upward and inward-growing branches, while also removing any shoots that are growing in a horizontal manner. Also, remove any branches that cross each other to reduce the risk of breakage and open up the canopy of the tree. Finally, shorten any branches growing too long. This will help ensure the tree looks neat and well-groomed.

Season

Fall
Winter
Spring
Summer
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Starts Flowering

Acer japonicum 'O-isami' typically starts flowering in April.

Hardiness Map