Habitat

• native to Japan
• zone 5 (warmer parts)
• hardier as a mature plant; young trees tend to twig kill some in winter

Habit and Form

• oval to rounded small tree
• deciduous
• typically 20 to 25', but can easily reach 35'+

Summer Foliage

• opposite, 3-lobed, 1.5" to 3" long
• leaf base rounded, lobes point forward, looks like a duck foot
• leaf shape varies considerably on different individuals
• shiny, bright green when mature, emerge with reddish tints

Autumn Foliage

• yellow, orange, red; individuals vary in quality of coloration
• colors late for a maple

Flowers

• greenish-yellow, not of importance
• early spring with leaf emergence

Fruit

• samaras, 0.75" to 1" long

Bark

• exfoliating in scales and plates
• interesting mix of orange, brown and gray

Culture

• relatively easy to transplant
• prefers moist, slightly acid soil
• reported to be drought tolerant
• best in full sun

Landscape Uses

• street tree
• patio tree
• specimen

Liabilities

• relatively problem free
• winter twig kill
• variability in fall foliage coloration among individuals

ID Features

• duck-foot leaf shape
• exfoliating orange tinted bark

Propagation

• primarily from seed

Cultivars/Varieties

Even the straight species itself is rare, though several variegated and dwarf cultivars are readily available from bonsai nurseries.

'Streetwise' (Streetwise®) - A promising introduction with good red fall color, handsome bark that peels at an early age and an upright habit that lends itself to single-stem training and more common use in the landscape.