ACER palmatum - dissectums

Red dissectums | Green dissectums | Other dissectums

ACER palmatum dissectums rarely grow taller than 6 ft., although they are not considered dwarves. Their branches naturally spread and take on an umbrella shape. Often referred to as "lace leaf" maples, many cultivars, once sufficiently mature, can be grown in full temperate sun. Several of the green dissectums benefit from afternoon shade.

Maples in this category grow wider than tall. The branches of the dissectum maples naturally weep down and the tree takes on an umbrella shape. It is very common for people to ask for a "dwarf maple" and yet be thinking of a lace leaf maple. Click here for a comparison between the true "dwarf' maple and maples in the "dissectum' category. Generally speaking, 1-gallon size trees begin at $29.95. These maples are either 2 or 3 years old. This list is updated regularly, but may not represent our actual inventory. Quite often we have larger trees available. Please e-mail to confirm availability.

Note: Height of 2-year trees ranges from 12" to 24", depending on several things: the cultivar, and if the graft was made "low", or "high" on the root stock. Two year trees will benefit from some extra protection from the elements and may be container grown for another 1 or 2 seasons.

Indicates gold fall color.   Indicates orange fall color.   Indicates red fall color.

Red dissectums

Baby Lace - Extremely delicate leaf pattern on this slow-growing and fragile maple.

Baldsmith - Recent introduction. Each leaf is an interesting combination of pink, red, rust and green. Especially bright orange-red spring color. Grows to 6' if staked. Several sizes available.

Beni kumo no su - Unusually small lace leaves are red and very finely cut. Name means "red spider web." One gal., $50. Five gal. container as well as mature specimens.

Bewley's Red - Dark red lace leaf maple. Foliage is a bronze red in summer. This maple is an upright grower. For awhile a bamboo support helps young branches; but they won't need it for long!

Brocade - Such a variety of reds on very fine lace leaves which hold color well into the summer. Orange tones enliven the red in the fall.

Chantilly Lace - Please find description in Green Dissectum section. 

Crimson Queen - Red spring and early summer, the lacy leaves are very green by the end of summer. Crimson Queen forms a mound-shaped shrub. Resistant to heat. Low graft, 2 ft. tall (staked).  

Dark Straw - NEW red lace leaf tree with mahogany toned bark.  

Ebony - Dark red laceleaf. Fall color is a blend of rust red and scarlet. Wait list.

Ever Red - Weeping laceleaf. Small rounded tree with cascading branches. 2 gallon $65

Garnet - A slightly more upright dissectum maple. Growth is vigorous. These trees form a nice rounded canopy. Two year (about 8" tall) $30

Heartbeat - Form of red lace leaf tree.

Inaba shidare - Purple-red leaf holds color well in summer and turns crimson in fall. A more upright laceleaf than most, which is known for very vigorous growth to around 7-9 feet.

Kim - NEW Spring foliage is red. As the season progresses, more and more green tones appear. Fall: red

Lionheart - Uunique red lace leaf tree which grows upright. Tips of side branches weep down. Deep crimson in fall. 

Octopus - Long, feathery branches arch out and then down. This is a very dramatic tree! Beautiful orange and red fall color. One gal. $50. Two gal. $75.  

Ornatum - An unusaual bronze-red tone stands out in a grouping of maples. Foliage is mostly green by summer's end. Fall tones are a pleasing mix of red tones. One gal. $34.95

Pendulum Julian - Red lace leaf with slightly broader and less serrated foliage than typical of dissectum cultivars. Color darkens to an earthy red by late summer. Fall: red with splashes of gold. 

Red Dragon (shown at right) - Mature plant will be a round, weeping tree about 7 feet tall. Relatively new, this tree is more and more popular for its reliable performance. Likes sun. Two gal. $69.95 and older.

Red Filigree - Very cutaway leaf-- an example of the finest of nature's lace. This slow growing cultivar needs filter from direct, hot sun. Two year $45

Stella Rossa - Large, finely dissected leaves provide several changes of vibrant color during the growing season. They emerge in shades of pink and red, and become dark red during the summer. In the fall this maple is bright red! Two year $49.95 and specimens. 

Tamukeyama - Holds deep red color in summer; fall colors are bright scarlets. This lace leaf is sun tolerant.

Van der Akker - Another new cultivar with red dissected leaf and slightly weeping habit. By mid-summer this tree is two-toned: some leaves are entirely green, others are dark brown-red. Branches horizontal more than weeping. Three year $45.

Green dissectums

Autumn Fire - Very new introduction (1996 registered). New leaves are bright yellow green and less divided than most lace-leaf trees. Bright red fall color. 2 year $45. 

Chantilly Lace - This lovely, low growing maple is difficult to categorize! New growth appears coppery-red and evolves to green. Mid to late summer, a second flush of new growth brings red highlights to the tips. Foliage on Chantilly Lace is very dissected yet not feathery.  

Demi-sec –Grows slowly into a rounded shape; Demi-Sec does not display the typical mushroom shape of most dissectum maples. Spring: faint orange tint on margins. Fall gold. 

Emerald Lace - Fast growing and easily trainable to 9 feet. One gallon size, approx. 20" tall, $29.95. Older trees available.  

Flavescens - Distinct yellow green tone of spring and early summer foliage make this tree unique. Fall color is gold and orange.    

Germaine's Gyration - Very vigorous grower with twisting branches.

Green Filigree (shown at right) - Double dissected leaves give a feathery appearance. Subtle variegation of light green foliage interlaced with cream color veins. Gold and orange fall color. Needs part shade.    

Green Hornet - Very finely dissected leaves on long sweeping branches make this a very desirable new introduction. Red fall color is also note worthy. Two gallon, 4 feet, $95, and larger.

Green Mist - This maple has several endearing features. Very fine foliage...and rather vigorous and eager to twist upwards as well as produce a weeping effect. A little staking during early years will encourage this tendenncy for height. In the summer, the green color & delicate appearance of pendulous foliage creates a misty look. It is one of the best for fall color, which is orange-red.

Irish Lace - Green lace leaf. Very full. These trees have high grafts. Four year trees and larger.

Lemon Lime Lace - This is a new two-toned maple in the dissectum group; it was registered as recently as 1996. Very finely cut leaves emerge light lemon yellow and become lime green. Available in one gallon, $39. Five gallon containers and larger.

Otto's Dissectum - NEW. Dark green lace leaf with horizontal branching pattern. Trees are grafted low and evenly branched. Available as two year and three/four year grafts.

Palmatifidium - Green elongated leaves "slightly dissected." Grows wider than tall.

Raraflora - Soft orange and pink tones in the spring with dark green summer color. The fall changes are stunning: bright red! Available in one and five gallon sizes. 

Red Autumn Lace - One of newest additions to our collection. Large leaves are green during most of the year. Fall color: yellow, gold, and then red. Two 3-year trees: from $65.    

Seiryu (Blue-Green Dragon) - Here is an exception to typical lace leaf growth patterns. Seiryu has an upright growing habit to around 15 feet. Moreover, Seiryu is not bothered by (most) full sun exposures. Marvelous fall color in deep red and orange tones. 

Sekimori - Green lace leaf noted for fall color and the bright green bark. Spring foliage is a light, bright green; and overall appearance is feathery rather than lacy. The maple guru, J.D. Vertrees, proclaims the fall color of Sekimori is "one of the best bright yellow-gold combinations of green dissectums." Grows 6"-12" a year and, with staking, can reach 9 feet.

Spring Delight - In the spring new foliage is edged in red. Nice, balanced canopy on these trees. Three/four year trees from $85

Sunset - Much of the year this tree has green foliage. However in the spring, our trees are rusty red. Because the leaves are held evenly on the branches and do not twist as with many other dissectums, this maple has a unique look among the lace leafs.

V. Corbin- Green leaves a bit thicker and wider than those of Viridis. Wait List.

Viridis (shown at right) - Weeping laceleaf. Vigorous plant appreciates some afternoon shade and forms a mound-shaped large shrub. Green turns to gold in fall. 

Waterfall - Bright green lace leaves are slightly larger than "Viridis". With early staking one can achieve a kind of layering height with this tree. Side branches cascade strongly. Two year tree $40. 

Other dissectums

Goshiki shidari - This variegated dissectum has multi-colored foliage. Deep green and dark red overtones on some leaves; others show deep red-green with pink. Leaf size is smaller than most dissectums.

Jeddeloh Orange - NEW maple. The dissected green leaf opens with an orange/pink cast. Seems to have an upright habit.

Orangeola (shown at right in Oct. color, summer and during transition to fall color) - Cascading mound of orange during spring and fall. Holds fall color longer than most dissectum.  

Toyama nishiki - Wonderful variegation in cut leaf. Green, maroon, pink, and cream in combinations that change from leaf to leaf. Very delicate and slow growing; One of the most admired trees in the nursery. Several sizes are available.