Acer Japonicum Dissectum Harvest Moon

Adult Acer Japonicum Dissectum Harvest Moon

Adult Acer Japonicum Dissectum Harvest Moon

Acer Japonicum Dissectum Harvest Moon is a dwarf Stand Up Japanese Maple tree. A very rare specimen of Acer tree and can only be found from specialist growers, definitely one for the collectors.

Of Dutch origin, probably around the 1980's and is a relatively new cultivar.

The Japanese Maple is a dwarf, stand up tree, which will reach a height of 2 meters and a spread of 4 meters. The Harvest Moon will grow tall from young, its lower branches grow upwards while the upper branches grow horizontal and once it reaches its optimum height it will start to spread out. It will take 15 years to reach its maturity and 10 years before it reaches its potential. Ours is reaching 10 years now and looks spectacular.

The Acer Japonicum Dissectum Harvest Moon has large deeply cut pinnate leaves, very much frog-like, its lobes are very different to other acers, each leaf has 9 lobes which look like 9 separate leaves and each lobe has a long stem type base.

It has plain grey / brown coloured bark and similar coloured branches, only its young branches have some colour, they are a deep red with shades of pink and purple. In the autumn the softwood branches change to a bright red and yellow two-tone colour.

The leaves do not hang, they stay horizontal making its appearance of layered, the Autumn colours really make this tree stand out.

Acer Japonicum Dissectum Harvest Moon Spring Leaf

Acer Japonicum Dissectum Harvest Moon Leaf Cluster Autumn

The large pinnate leaves are deeply cut and each lobe can reach 15 cm in length and width, they are fanned out like a frogs foot. In the spring the leaves will emerge mainly green, with a lime green vein, the tips are a faint dark red colour.

In the early autumn, the red tips gradually grow inwards, turning the leaves a wonderful, bright fire truck red and in the height of autumn they will gradually turn a bright orange colour.

The transitions of colour are what make Japanese Maples so popular.

The Harvest Moon is similar to most Acers in that it is slow growing especially when potted, as it will not grow too high the Harvest Moon is an ideal patio or courtyard tree. The Harvest Moon is quite hardly and can be left out or planted out in full sun, it is not so keen on draughty places.

The Harvest Moon is different and would make a fantastic addition to any Japanese Garden, patio tree or courtyard tree.