JAPANESE MAPLE OSAKAZUKI

Article and pictures by David Marks.

Possibly the best large Japanese maple for its spectacular autumn colour. Osakazuki grows to about 8m / 25ft at maturity and has green leaves from spring to summer, even then it is a handsome looking tree. In autumn the leaves turn a very deep crimson outshining almost all other Japanese Maples for colour.

The large leaves are densely formed on the branches giving the whole tree a very solid appearance.

Acer palmatum Osakazuki has been sold round the world for over a hundred years and autumn colour is only one reason for the popularity of this cultivar. It is also a very strong, healthy growing tree with a short trunk and large head of leaf covered branches.

TECHNICAL DETAILS FOR ACER PALMATUM OSAKAZUKI

Genus	Acer
Species	palmatum
Variety	‘Osakazuki’
Light	suited to full sun or part shade
Hardy	Yes
Soil	Slightly acidic and well-drained
Height	8m / 25ft after 20 years
Spread	7m / 22ft after 20 years
Spread	Short strong trunk with a large head of branches and foliage
Colour	Green in spring and summer turning a beautiful, deep crimson in autumn
Colour	No
Bonsai	No

LEAF FORM

The leaves are larger compared to most Japanese Maples. They have six lobes divided back into half of the main leaf. The stems are red throughout the year, turning a deeper red in autumn. The edge of the lobes are very finely serrated. The red leaves are shown on the left,the green leaves are shown below. In spring, Osakazuki produces flowers (see picture below).

Green leaves of Osakazuki
Click picture to enlarge

Flowers of Osakazuki
Click picture to enlarge

SUPPLIERS OF ACER PALMATUM OSAKAZUKI

Shoot Gardening
Online only

Express Gardening
Online only

MORE JAPANESE MAPLE TREE INFORMATION