Growth form: Tree height range from 2 to 30 feet that have round dwarf like and cascading form.
Leaves, twigs, and bark:palmately leave type, different colors leaves such as red, green, and orange. Smooth-like bark
Leaves of Japanese Maple #380, opposite leaf type with simple arrangement. Shanell Piercy holding the leaf. (10/24/19)
Flowers: Small reddish flowers that are at a stalked with umbrella shaped clusters. The flowers bloom between the months of May and June.
Red flower clusters with fruit being 1/2 to 3/4 inches long.
Fruits: Winged seed called a samara. The fruits are greenish to red color and are about 3/ inches long. Samaras ripen between September and October.
Native range and habitat: Fringe tree is native to nutrient-rich, moist and dry forests, limestone glades, stream banks, and rocky bluffs throughout eastern and south-central North America. Its natural range extends from New York, south to Florida, and west to Texas. In Virginia, fringe tree occurs as a native tree or shrub in nearly all counties of the state.
Distribution of Japanese Maple Tree across Virginia counties (VA Botanical Associates, 2019)
Plant Family: Describe plant family characteristics and related species...
Ecologic Importance and Uses:
Fun Facts: Japanese maple tree are a very important tree in Japan. They have been an important subject in many Japanese art work for centuries.
Wildlife: squirrels and chipmunks go nuts for there maple seeds. The seeds, buds and flowers are also eaten by grouse, quail and many songbirds.
Gardens and Landscaping: with multiple fall like colors the Japanese maple is a good shrub to have as an accent in a garden.
Campus Specimens - Japanese Maple
State and national champions? According to the Champion Tree National Register there are no current champion trees. The Virginia state champion fringe tree is located in Hampton Roads, Virginia and has a circumference of 127 inches, height of 52 feet, and crown spread of 59 feet, for a total of 194 points.
At Radford University, One of the many Japanese maples are located around Martin, Washington and Dalton hall..
Tree #377
Trunk circumference: 9.0 inches
Tree height: 13.5 feet
Crown spread: 9.0 feet x 9.0 feet Average = 9.0 feet