Pine Bark Japanese Maple

Acer palmatum ‘Nishiki Gawa’

Other Names: Nishiki Gawa Japanese Maple

Plant Details

USDA Plant Hardiness Zones: 5a-9b Find Your Zone

Height at Maturity: 10-12′ at 10 years of age; 15-20′ at maturity

Width at Maturity: 8-10′ at 10 years of age; 12-15′ at maturity

Growth Habit / Form: Upright Arching

Growth Rate: Moderate; 10-14″ per year

Foliage Color in Spring: Green

Foliage Color in Summer: Green

Foliage Color in Fall: Orange and Red Shades

Light Needs: Full Sun or Mostly Sun, Morning Sun with Dappled or Afternoon Shade, All Day Filtered Sun, Morning Shade with Evening Sun

Water Needs: Average; Drought tolerant when established

Soil Type: Clay (Amend heavy clay to ensure good drainage), Loam, Sandy, Silty

Drainage: Moist But Well Drained – Good drainage is a must with Japanese Maples

Soil pH: 5.0 – 7.0 is ideal

Maintenance: Low

Resistances: Deer, Drought (when established), Heat Tolerant, Insect Resistant, Sun Tolerant

Description

One of the most unusual Japanese maples in our gardens and always an attention-grabber with guests, the Pine Bark Japanese Maple, Acer palmatum ‘Nishiki Gawa’, develops remarkable bark that resembles that of a pine tree. The bark begins a smooth green when young but then begins to develop bumpy brown plates which come together to cover the entire trunk over time. The result is a much thicker and darker bark than other cultivars that resembles the rough bark of a pine or oak. It is an upright tree that reaching 10 to 12 feet tall and 8 to 10 feet wide at 10 years of age and 15 to 20 feet tall and 12 to 15 feet wide when all grown up. The arching stems become clothed with light green palmate leaves in spring and summer that contrast beautifully with the dark bark. With the arrival of cooler temperatures in fall the leaves transition to vibrant shades of orange and scarlet red. After the leaves fall the bark takes the stage. This totally unique tree is destined to be an attention-grabbing conversation piece in the sunny to partially shaded landscape.

Landscape & Garden Uses

To showcase its magnificence and beauty, the Pine Bark Japanese Maple is best used in landscape design as a focal point specimen to draw attention to a specific area of the home or landscape. That said, in larger landscape spaces it can be grouped or two can be used to frame an entryway.

Suggested Spacing: At least 18 feet for space between trees

Note: One Japanese Maple can make a landscape…that is, if you don’t overcrowd it with other trees and plants. Therefore, when choosing companions to plant under or around your Japanese Maple, make sure to select low-growing shrubs or groundcover plants that won’t interfere at all with your tree.

Growing Preferences

Though delicate looking, Japanese Maples are actually very tough and long-lived trees. They are very easy to grow. Container culture can extend their useful range. They are extremely easy to grow in containers, a practice taken to its most extreme form in the art of bonsai.

In their natural habitat, Japanese Maples are understory trees, growing in dappled forest sunlight at the edges of woodlands. Ideally they prefer to be grown in similar conditions. That said, the Pine Bark Japanese Maple is one that will grow in full sun or part shade.

Most any average garden soil will grow Japanese Maples. They prefer a moist but well-drained soil rich in organic matter. As with so many other ornamental plants and trees, constantly soggy or wet soil can be problematic. So make sure to plant your Japanese Maple in a well-drained site.

Helpful Articles

Click on a link below to find helpful advice from our experts on how to plant and care for Japanese Maple trees.

How To Plant A Japanese Maple Tree In The Ground

How to Plant A Japanese Maple Tree In A Pot

How To Fertilize And Water A Japanese Maple Tree

How To Prune A Japanese Maple

Plant Long & Prosper!

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