Scientific name: Acer palmatum
Family: SAPINDACEAE
Common names: “Japanese maple”
Plant Type: Deciduous tree
Conditions:
Zone: 6-8
Light: Full sun – semi-shade
Exposure: Sheltered
Soil: Humus rich, slightly acidic
Moisture: Evenly moist well drained
Aesthetic:
Plant Size: H 20′ W 10′ , very slow growing
Leaf and Stem shape: 5-9 lobed palmate leaves
Flower: Purple red flowers followed by winged samaras 
Pruning: Minimal, cut out DDD’s, any larger cuts are best done in July-August
Maintenance: Low, self seeds about, dieback can be “thumb pruned”
Landscape use: Japanese garden, city courtyard, focal point
Propagate: By seed and grafting
Pests & Disease: Some varieties get a lot of dieback, also leaf scorch in too much sun without enough moisture
Comments: Nice branch structures, there are many different named forms, grafted trees tend to be smaller, less hardy, more interesting and expensive, seedlings are variable and take a very long time to grow
Cultivars: A. p. f. atropurpurea – has purple leaves
A. p. var. dissectum – bright orange deeply cut leaves
Vancouver Island Grows 