Acer caudatifolium

RHS Plant Profile

Kawakami maple

RHS

Other common names

snake-bark maple

Synonyms

Acer morrisonense Hayata
Acer kawakamii
Acer ovatifolium

Trees

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A small to medium-sized, densely-branched tree reaching up to 12m in cultivation with smooth green to reddish-green bark marked with faint white stripes. Dull green leaves, paler on the undersides with serrated margins, are usually unlobed but may have three shallow lobes; leaves are up to 11cm long by 4.5cm wide, tapering to a point and turn shades of red, orange and yellow in autumn. Racemes of small purple to white flowers in spring are followed by reddish winged fruits in autumn that turn yellow as they mature

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

8-12 metres

Max Spread

4-8 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 20–50 years
Max Spread: 4-8 metres
Max Height: 8-12 metres

Growing Conditions

Clay Loam Sand

Moisture: Moist but well–drained or Well–drained
pH: Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun Partial shade

Aspect: North–facing or West–facing or South–facing or East–facing
Exposure: Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20): H4

Colour & Scent

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Sapindaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Deciduous
Habit: Columnar upright
Genus: Acer can be deciduous trees or large shrubs with paired, often palmately-lobed leaves and small flowers followed by characteristic winged fruits. Many have fine autumn colour, and some have ornamental stems
Name Status: Correct
Plant Range: Taiwan

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in a moist but well-drained soil in full sun or partial shade

Propagation

Propagate by seed or by grafting

Suggested planting locations and garden types

City and courtyard gardens
Architectural
Cottage and informal garden
Low Maintenance

Pruning

Pruning group 1

Pests

May be susceptible to Acer gall mite, aphids, caterpillars and horse chestnut scale

Diseases

May be susceptible to Verticillium wilt, Acer leaf scorch and honey fungus