Upright Habit

In the descriptions below, heights are for trees at least 15 years old; container grown size would be smaller. The price, with a few exceptions, of two and three year trees is $29.95. Quite often we have larger trees available—please inquire!

Note: Height of two year trees ranges from 18 to 30 inches, depending on the cultivar.

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

Aka shigitatsu sawa - Variegated leaf holds color well. The lobes are widely spread apart and rose tones dominate with varying amounts of cream providing a background for the dark green veins. Mature height 6-8 feet and as wide. Four/five year trees $50 (well developed; a great buy).

Ao kanzashi - Green leaf is variegated with cream primarily at the margins. This tree resembles Tennyo no hoshi and Butterfly and grows in the same narrow and slightly vase shaped habit. In the fall, red tones suffuse the leaf starting with the margins.

Aoyagi (shown at right) - The name means "green coral" referring to the bright green bark on twigs and limbs. Older wood roughens and develops white striations. New spring leaves have a golden glow similar to the Golden Full Moon maple. An upright tree, it is slow growing. It is often placed near a red bark maple for the effect of their winter silhouettes. Two year trees $35. Six/seven year: $125; larger also available.

Asahi zuru - The "rising sun maple" forms a striking vase shaped tree. The leaves are variegated: green leaves have distinct white sections, some much more so than others; and variegation increases on older wood. Considered a rapid grower when young, this tree slows as it matures reaching a height of 9 - 12'. Three year (still small) trees $35. Trees about 5 feet tall, (five gallon) from $125.

Azuma murasaki - Leaves are deeply divided and tinted with yellow-orange when new. They become red and then deep green by midsummer. Mature height: 15-18 ft.

Beni fushigi (shown at right) - Bright pink tones enliven these small slightly crinkled leaves. Spring color is many shades of pink & red. Forms an 8' shrub and makes an excellent container plant. Three year trees $45. More mature trees also available.5.

Beni kawa (shown at right, fall color) - The silhouette of this tree is beautiful due to vibrant red bark, which seems more intense than that of Sango kaku (the better known coral bark tree). Mature tree takes full sun. Green leaves show red edges in the fall, becoming red and gold. The color is irregular over the tree - which I find pleasing - each day adds a bit more here and there. Incidentally, Beni kawa is reputed to be very cold hardy. Grows slowly to around 15 feet.

Beni maiko (shown at right) - see also semi-dwarf page. Older trees currently available.

Beni schichihenge (shown at right) - Variegated leaf characterized by cream margins and different proportions of pink-orange tones. Graceful, upright-growing small tree. Two year $35 and several older sizes.

Beni tsukasa - The spring foliage offers a progression of colors which is hard to describe; but we'll make an attempt. New leaves are a bright peach tone. This color evolves to a light pink with green undertones. Green becomes the predominant color in summer, with some leaves showing a faint variegation. Leaves on older wood are small, whereas vigorous new shoots often produce leaves twice as large. This cultivar is documented to reach 15 feet, but we find it to be smaller.

Beni otake – Intense red foliage is of the `linearlobum’ type. This means each lobe is long and narrow creating a bamboo-like effect. The name translates aptly to `Big Red Bamboo.’ Branching structure is pleasingly open. Two gallon trees: $75; larger sizes available.

Beni yubi gohon - see Semi-dwarf page.

Bloodgood (shown at right) - This maple is one of the faster growing ones and is always popular. Purple red leaves. Expect a large tree: 20 - 25 feet and almost as wide. Available in many sizes. Five gallon (almost 5 feet) from $65.

Bonfire - Please see Semi-Dwarf & Dwarf page.

Boskoop's Glory - New foliage has pink/red color. Red color on large leaf persists well into fall. An upright grower to at least 20 feet, it will provide shade for a section of your garden.

Burgundy Lace - Spreading type tree with deeply cut red leaf. Forms 12' tree with round canopy at maturity. Hardy, trouble-free.

Butterfly (shown at right) - Silver variegated foliage. This small-leaved tree gives a dainty image. Surprisingly, a 4 or 5 years old Butterfly will handle a mostly sunny garden location. Densely branched, upright tree 9 - 12 feet.

Corallinum - Even the smallest Corallinum will draw appreciative looks in the spring with its’ dazzling shrimp-pink new growth. The leaf evolves into many shades of green & blue green in summer. This semi-dwarf appreciates protection from wind and hot sun. Two year: 39.95. Older trees available.

Emperor 1 (shown at right) - This maple amazes gardeners with its ability to thrive in full sun. The dark red leaf brightens to scarlet in fall. Lovely open habit.

Ever Autumn - Gorgeous large leaf with rich green coloration and a red-orange blush throughout most of growing season. Color is more intense as tree matures. Vigorous, strong plant.

First Ghost – NEW Ghost Series. More upright than Amber Ghost and with similar reticulated leaf. The lobes of each leaf are more slender than several of the other "Ghosts."

Fireglow - Good news for small gardens! New leaves on this cultivar resemble a small “Bloodgood” leaf; yet they maintain a more intense red as summer progresses. Fireglow matures into a sun tolerant maple around 9 to 12 feet tall. Mature specimens available.

Green Flag - This maple is probably a hybrid of shirasawanum and palmatum. With small, rounded green leaves, it forms a mid sized upright tree 8 feet tall in 10 years.

Green Trompenberg - The name says it all: a recently introduced green leaf form of Trompenberg. Two gallon trees: $75

Hefner’s Red - NEW upright cultivar. We anticipate a mature height of 9-10 fee in ten years.

Heptalobum rubrum - Dark red trees brighten to a glowing red in the fall. This handsome tree was one of Mr. Vertrees' favorites. 3 year: $50

Herbstfeuer - Strong growing full-sized cultivar with intense orange and red fall color.

Hogyoku (shown at right) - Green leaf with broad lobes tapering neatly to a point. One of most adaptable to heat and/or poor conditions. Compact habit 10 - 15 feet. Known for orange fall color. Three year: $50. Older trees available.

Ichigyoji - Broad lobed, large leaves emerge green. This tree is remarkable for dependable yellow and orange fall color. This is also a versatile maple. Gardeners with plenty of room can let it grow to about 18 feet tall. If space is limited, Ichigyogi responds well to shaping and can easily be kept within the bounds of a smaller garden.

Iijima sunago (shown at right, spring/summer and fall) - Lightly variegated foliage in the "sand-dusted" manner. The leaves on this maple are painted from an expansive palette: Spring growth is red with dark orange tones. Summer brings a range of bronze and green tones. In the fall, leaves are a rusty red and occasionally an intense pink, as pictured above. Strong, upright tree eventually reaches about 20 feet. Two gallon: $75; older trees available.

Japanese Sunrise – This cultivar contributes to the garden’s winter silhouette. Unique bark is two toned: gold and coral tones on different sides of the trunk. Colors intensify in the winter. Grows 6" to 12" a year to around 12 feet. Two year: $34.95; two gallon $75 and more mature.

Jiro shidare - Here is a beautiful exception to typical growth patterns. Jiro shidare has a full sized green leaf ; and it also has a cascading form. One customer discovered this tree and exclaimed, "Oh, a green fountain!" Mature branches are very pendulous. Forms a rounded tree of medium (9') height. This is a great tree for those who desire a tree with weeping style; but who have too much sun for most green "dissectum" cultivars. Fall color is a striking orange.

Kagero - Green leaf with unusual variegation which is yellow instead of white. The colors are irregular from leaf to leaf. Fall color is red to orange. This upright cultivar becomes a short tree of around 12 feet. The name means “gossamer.”

Kasagiyama - Unique color combination. The dominant tone is brick red, which will vary depending on the light and the age of the leaf. Dark green veins stand out clearly. This tree appreciates filtered shade as the weather warms. Branching pattern is wide. Slow growing, it makes a fine container tree. Rare. One gallon (4 years) $50; two gallon: $75.

Katsura – Also on the semi-dwarf page. Peach colored spring foliage, golden-green in summer. Older trees (over four feet) from $125.

Ki hachijo - Interesting bark is painted with bluish gray stripes. In the spring, the small leaves are bright lime green; and tiny flower clusters appear below the foliage. Distinctive fall color: yellow-gold and red. Slow upright growth to 15 feet and about as wide. Large two gallon trees from $95.

Killarney – Upright tree with spreading form. Soft green spring leaves maintain red margins throughout the growing season. The leaves are deeply cut and turn yellow and orange in fall.

Kinran (shown at right) - Long, pointed lobes are spread apart, creating an open and graceful tree. Spring and early summer foliage is red with bright green veins. By summer's end, the leaf is mostly green. Easy to shape and good for container gardening, this tree is famous for fall color: crimson with gold. Five gallon (only) from $95.

Korean Gem (formerly Koreanum) - A green-leafed variety of the species indigenous to South Korea. Upright growth into a large round-headed specimen of up to 12 feet. Fall : yellow, red and orange.

Koto no ito - Venerable maple with bamboo-like foliage. Please see dwarf and semi-dwarf page.

Margaret Bee - This relatively fast growing maple maintains rich red color all summer. The habit is more narrow than that of many other upright red maples; and branching is open. Five gallon trees from $85.

Miyagino - Authorities remark on the excellent fall color" of this tree. Green leaves turn red with gold and orange markings. Grows to a full sized tree. Wait List

Monzukushi - Green leaf turns orange in autumn. A vigorous landscape tree. Wait List.

Moonfire (shown at right) - Wine-red leaf color persists well through the summer.  Moonfire grows vigorously when young; but it slows as it matures reaching about 20 feet. Fall color: crimson. One gallon $29.95; Five gallon: $75.

Mure hibari - Leaves are small, light green, with double serrate margins. In the spring, leaves have a brick red tint; in the fall, yellow and crimson. Upright growth is to 12-14 feet. Wait List.

Musashino - Sometimes called "the heron." Leaves are dark red and they brighten to crimson in fall. This is a hardy, handsome tree with bold structure. Grows to around 20 feet.

Nicholsonii - After red coloration in spring, summer foliage is green. Grows at a modest rate to 12-15 feet. Intense rust and scarlet fall color. Two Gallon: $69.95. Older trees also available.

Novum - Dark-red spring foliage merges to many lively shades of red during the summer months. We like Novum’s vibrant colors as well as its sun tolerance As a landscape tree it will reach 20 feet. Several sizes available.

Nuresagi (shown at right) - Vigorous, upright grower to 20'. Leaves are bright red in spring and darken during the summer. Silver-white striations appear on mature bark.

Ogon sarasa - Spring color is a sort brick-red overlaying green. Green veins contrast. By summer, the color has evolved to a green-purple. Fall colors are bright: shades of orange & crimson blends. Forms a medium sized tree - about 15 feet tall and 6-9 feet wide.

Okagami (shown at right in November) - Large star-shaped leaves emerge purple-red and darken during summer; bright red fall color. Vigorous growth to between 12 and 15 feet.

Okushimo - Small leaves with turned-under edges create a formal look in this vase-shaped tree.

Omato - Green leaf with red fall color. Very desirable as a landscape tree as it is strong growing with good limb structure.

Omurayama - Small landscape tree grows upright, yet side branches have a weeping tendency. We find mature trees are smaller than most literature indicates. Green leaves give good red fall color. Four year trees, $45. Two gallon $75 and larger sizes.

Orange Dream (shown at right) - Spring foliage emerges bright golden yellow quickly displaying orange margins. The leaves retain the yellow tones well into summer eventually evolving to light green. Fall: orange and bright gold. Orange Dream is an upright semi dwarf tree reaching 8-12 feet tall in 10 years. Prefers afternoon shade during summer months. Available in 1, 2 and 10 gallon sizes.

Oridono nishiki - Variegated maple to 15 feet. Pink tones are abundant. Forms round-shaped canopy at maturity. Protect from sun & wind . Larger sizes only at present.

Osakazuki - The brilliant red fall color of this palmatum is often pictured in books and articles on Japanese maples. Grows into a large tree exceeding 20 ft. Mature trees available.

Oshu shidare - Cascading branches of maroon leaves. Forms a lovely, full mound and may reach 10' in height. Five gallon from $95.

Oshio beni - Orange red spring color will set you off to a flaming start with this tree. Scarlet fall color. Matures at around 20'. Protect from direct afternoon sun in hottest areas. One gallon: $35.

Peaches & Cream (shown at right in fall color) – Heavily variegated Australian selection. Grows to a wide spreading shrub about 6 feet. Best in part shade. Available in many sizes.

Purple Ghost - We enjoy its distinctive foliage and sturdy quality of the leaf. In the spring and most of summer leaves are a unique pink/ red with very dark—almost black- veins. Fall: intense orange and red. This maple seems as if it will grow to 20 feet. Two gallon: $75; and larger trees also available.

Red pygmy - Semi-dwarf tree with unusual leaf. The lobes on each leaf are long and narrow as in the "linearilobum" group.

Ruby Star - New introduction belongs in with dwarf group. Emerging "star" foliage is red. When the tree seems pure green in the summer, a new sprinkling of red stars graces this little tree with late summer growth . Four year, $60.

Ryuzu - See also Dwarf section. New leaves have pink cast on pale green. Mature leaf is light green. Popular for bonsai, rock gardens, and/or containers.

Sagara nishiki - Variegated foliage goes through several phases on this beautiful small tree. On new leaves there is an overshading of pink on the golden yellow margins. This fades, leaving a leaf edged in gold. Grow in partial shade as foliage burns in direct sun. Well developed two/three year trees: $39.

Samurai Sword - A new introduction to the linearilobum group of Japanese maples. Foliage is red and branching structure somewhat vase shaped. By mid summer our 2 year trees are already up close to 3 ft. tall; so this tree puts on vigorous growth, at least in it's youth.

Sango kaku (shown at right) - The coral tower maple is a well-known favorite. Upright to 15 - 18 feet. In the fall, green leaves turn rose colored before going gold. (see image at right).

Sherwood Flame - Lovely slender upright tree with deeply cut red leaves. Intense "flaming" red in spring and fall. The open branching pattern of this tree (consequently there is little need for pruning) is a plus. Sherwood Flame also displays clusters of red seeds (samaras).

Shindeshojo (shown at right) – Very showy in the spring with fire engine red leaf. The color evolves to green with flecks of blue later in the summer. Often chosen for bonsai and patio planting. Absolutely one of best small trees for spring color. 5 gallon and larger.

Shishigashira - The "Lion's mane," with its sculptured habit and tightly curled leaves, is slow-growing to 7 or 8 feet. Tolerates sun as an older tree. Orange fall color. One gallon: $40. Two gallon (three foot plus): $85. Mature specimens available.

Sister Ghost – New Ghost series. Majority of the leaf is white and the green veins stand out. two gallon: $85.

Suminigashi - Fast growing and hardy upright tree to 12 feet. Lobes are divided on these red leaves. Excellent for landscape use. Profuse samaras create a lovely effect in September and October.

Taiyo nishiki - Upright tree with green foliage and slight variegation on the margins. Five gallon size: $95

Tana - Leaves are a bright yellow-green with each lobe tipped in purple-red. Bright combination of golden-red in fall. This is an open, upright tree reaching 16 feet in a few years. Three year: $55.

Tatsuta - Green in the spring and noted for scarlet fall colors. Height: approximately 12 ft.

The Bishop - In the spring the foliage is a bright, light red. The color will take on bronze tones by mid-summer. This is a vigorous upright-growing tree reaching about 12 feet in height. Fall: crimson

Tsuma gaki - Especially stunning during the spring season when new foliage droops from the petiole with a magenta tip. Mature plants are about 6 or 7' tall and as wide. This cultivar is exceedingly slow growing. Provide a protected location. Four year trees (still small) $65.

Tsukushigata - Leaves are wine red and the midvein of each wide lobe is a contrasting yellow-green. This sturdy tree grows easily to around 12 ft.and as wide. Width, of course, may be shaped by yearly pruning. Other lovely aspects of "Tsukushi gata" are the lime green seeds and bright pink leaf stalks. About the name: Tsukushi gata is a bay on the Japanese isand of Kyushu. Fall color is intense yellow.

Ueno yama - Outstanding orange spring foliage. This is a vigorous tree with long side branches. Medium tall.

Ukigumo (shown at right) - The foliage of the “floating cloud maple” is sand-dusted.  Varying amounts of white and pink are dusted across the leaves. Grows 6 - 12" a year maturing around 10 feet. Two year tree: $34.95; older also available.

Ukon - With green bark, this maple is most effective when planted near a red barked maple. About 6 feet.  Four year tree from $95. 

Umegae - New foliage is bright brick red with contrasting green veins and becomes dark purple-red. Foliage is rather small and this tree cannot be hurried--it will slowly form a round-topped 12-15 ft. bush.

Utsu semi - Dramatic spring and fall color change. Green leaf during summer. 9-12 feet and wide. Highly desirable for smaller gardens. Crimson tones predominate in the fall.

Vandermoss Red - Leaf margins are double serrated and lobes are narrow. Graceful look to this spreading tree (formerly known as Christy Ann). 6/7 year trees (only) from $95.

Volubile - Green foliage turns a luminous rose color in fall.  Expect a 12 foot tree in time. 2 year trees now available at $39.95; and they are very nice. 

Wetumpka Red - Light red foliage on dense branches. 

Whitney Red - Introduced by Whitney Gardens in the state of Washington, this is a vigorous tree selected for the intense red color of the leaf. Upright growth to 18 feet or more. Fall: scarlet. One gallon ( three/four years) $45. 

Winter Flame - This new tree is a compact form of Sango kaku. It has the same bright lime-green foliage, and, of course, the coral colored bark. 1 gall. as well as older trees available. 

Yasemin  - Unusual leaf feature. The shape and color combination of the leaf of this cultivar is unique among palmatum cultivars: the leaf is large, round and incised. Strong-growing and upright. Rare.

Yezo nishiki - Subtle shades of bronze permeate the overall red tones. The tree is known also for its spreading habit and brilliant crimson fall color. Two year trees: $45

Yugure - Crimson in spring and green in summer the foliage turns again in the fall to a translucent red/ crimson. A full sized tree, Yugure grows to about 18 feet. The name translates as "twilight." Literary references to Yugure are found as far back as 1710.