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Trees

Acer pictum subsp. dissectum

cut-leaved painted maple

A fast-growing, deciduous tree about 10-12m tall, with a spreading canopy, and glossy, dark green leaves, 5-7cm long and wide, with 5 deeply-cut lobes tapering to sharp points, and turning golden-yellow in autumn. Upright greenish-yellow spring flowers in clusters are followed by brown winged fruits in autumn

Synonyms

Acer mono f. dissectum
Acer pictum var. angustilobum

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Ultimate height

8–12 metres

Time to ultimate height

10–20 years

Ultimate spread

4–8 metres

Clay

Sand

Loam

Moisture

Moist but well–drained

pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Full sun
Partial shade

Aspect

East–facing or North–facing or West–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)

Botanical details

Family: Sapindaceae
Native to GB / Ireland: No
Foliage: Deciduous
Habit: Bushy, Spreading branched
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: C & S Japan

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in any moisture-retentive, well-drained soil in a sheltered position. Leaf colour is best in partial shade, although full sun can be tolerated if soil is reliably moist. Leaf scorch can be caused by lack of soil moisture or excessive exposure. See Japanese maples cultivation

Propagation

Propagate by grafting in late winter or softwood cuttings

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Cottage and informal garden

Pruning

Very little to no pruning required. For more advice refer to 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

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