Fullmoon Maple

Native to the mountainous regions of Japan.

• Found on the islands of Hokkaido, Honshu, and Shikoku
• Grows at elevations of 300 to 1,800 meters in cool, moist mountain forests
• Occurs as an understory and subcanopy tree in mixed deciduous-coniferous forests
• Often found growing alongside Acer palmatum, beech, birch, and various conifers
• Described by the Swedish botanist Carl Peter Thunberg in 1784
• Introduced to Western cultivation in the 1860s
• Less common in cultivation than its cousin Acer palmatum, but highly valued by maple enthusiasts

A small to medium deciduous tree with a spreading, often layered branching structure.

Bark:
• Smooth, grayish-green to gray-brown on young trees
• Developing subtle ridges and plate-like scales with age

Leaves:
• Opposite, palmately lobed with 9 to 11 (sometimes 13) lobes, 8 to 15 cm wide
• Nearly circular (orbicular) in outline — the "full moon" shape that gives the species its common name
• Dark green above, slightly paler and softly hairy beneath
• Fall color is legendary: scarlet, crimson, orange, gold, and purple often appearing simultaneously
• Leaves are larger and rounder than those of Acer palmatum

Fruit:
• Paired samaras in drooping clusters, 2 to 3 cm long
• Wings at a wide angle, often reddish when young

Size:
• Typically 5 to 10 meters tall with an equal or greater spread
• Slow-growing, adding 15 to 30 cm per year

Fullmoon Maple occupies a specialized niche in Japanese mountain ecosystems.

• Functions as an understory and mid-canopy species in cool, moist mountain forests
• Thrives in the dappled shade of taller canopy trees
• Prefers the cool, humid microclimate of mountain ravines and north-facing slopes
• Leaves decompose rapidly, contributing to the rich forest floor humus layer
• Provides food for Japanese wildlife through its seeds and flower buds
• Relies on mycorrhizal associations for efficient nutrient uptake in the nutrient-poor mountain soils
• Flowers appear in early spring alongside the emerging leaves, providing pollen for early insects
• Tolerant of heavy snow loads in its native Hokkaido habitat

Not currently considered threatened.

• Listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List
• Widespread in Japanese mountain forests with stable populations
• Protected within Japan's extensive national park and forest reserve system
• Well-represented in botanical gardens and arboreta worldwide
• Some concern about genetic erosion in wild populations due to limited gene flow between fragmented mountain populations

Fullmoon Maple is a rewarding but somewhat particular tree to grow.

• Hardy in USDA zones 5 to 7, possibly into zone 4 with protection
• Requires partial shade, especially in warmer regions; full morning sun with afternoon shade is ideal
• Prefers moist, well-drained, acidic to neutral soils rich in organic matter
• Consistent moisture is essential; drought stress causes leaf scorch and decline
• Shelter from strong winds and hot, dry sites
• Slow growth rate of 15 to 30 cm per year
• Requires minimal pruning; structure is naturally elegant
• Outstanding as a specimen tree in woodland gardens, Japanese-style gardens, and collector's landscapes
• Several excellent cultivars available, including 'Aconitifolium' (fern-leaved) and 'Vitifolium' (grape-leaved)

Fullmoon Maple is valued primarily as an ornamental specimen.

Ornamental:
• One of the finest autumn-coloring trees in cultivation
• Prized for its broad, rounded leaves and spectacular, multi-hued fall display
• Several outstanding cultivars are available, most notably 'Aconitifolium' with deeply cut, fern-like leaves
• Used in Japanese-style gardens, woodland gardens, and as a collector's specimen

Horticultural significance:
• A parent of several notable hybrid maples, including Acer x pseudosieboldianum
• Valued by plant breeders for its cold hardiness and fall color
• Less commonly available than Japanese Maple but increasingly popular among discerning gardeners