Maple trees are some of the most popular trees, not only because of their storied beautiful fall foliage but also because they grow quickly in most varieties and they are fairly easy to care for. But not all maple trees can be treated the same. Some are so different, in fact, that you might not even recognize that they are all actually types of maple trees.
Japanese maple trees differ from red maple trees mainly in their size. They also differ in the rate of their growth, the color of their leaves, and their ideal growing environment. Red maple trees and Japanese maple trees generally serve different purposes in a yard or garden.
Both types of maple trees are beautiful year-round, especially in the fall when their leaves are spectacular colors. And both types of maple trees can provide some useful elements to your yard, like shade in varying amounts or just general beauty for your garden. But there are some important differences that can affect not only what type of maple tree you plant, but also how you plant, care for, and place that maple tree.
Read on for all the info you need to tell these two beautiful species of maple apart and decide whether you need one or both of these varieties in your yard!
Are All Maple Trees The Same?
There are many different varieties of maple trees, all of which have some version of the Latin name acer.
Maple trees are set apart from other groups of trees by a few defining characteristics:
- Maple trees have distinctive leaves.
- Maple trees have distinctive flowers.
- Maple trees have samaras, which are helicopter-like seeds that spin down from the trees.
Although today we are focusing on two amazing maple tree variations, there are a bunch more variations that you should consider if these don’t meet your needs! Head on over to our article about the best maple tree variations to plant, to learn more information.
They Have Iconic Leaves
Maple leaves are probably the most recognizable characteristics of maple trees of all varieties and are probably the easiest way to identify whether or not a tree is a maple.
The leaves of the maple tree, no matter the variety, are shaped with lobes; there can be a varying number of them, but the result is an iconic leaf with pointed ends on each lobe and all lobes of the same size.
Maple leaves in most varieties are green through the spring and summer but turn yellow, orange, or red in the fall.
A Maple Tree’s Fruits And Flowers
The flowers of maple trees are very small, but their shape –a bud that looks almost like a honeysuckle– is also a distinctive quality.
Lastly, maple trees produce samaras instead of acorns or exposed seeds. Samaras are like little wings that spin down from the maple trees with the seeds of the maple trees hidden inside.
Once you are able to recognize some of the key elements of maple trees, you might be able to more easily see the similarities between two trees that, at first glance, seem very different: the Japanese maple tree and the red maple tree.
Japanese Maple Trees
The Japanese maple is very popular in Japan, but it also enjoys a great deal of popularity in the United States.
Japanese maple trees originated in Japan, as their name indicates, but are also native to China, Korea, and the southeastern region of Russia.
But these trees have been used in gardens in the United States for a long time, and they grow very well in most U.S. climates.
Japanese maple trees are often used as decorative trees, and they are frequently found in gardens or as accent features to larger yards. They can be grown in many climates, and they can endure a variety of types of sunlight exposure. They can even be grown indoors.
There Are So Many Varieties Of Japanese Maple Trees
Japanese maple trees come in many different varieties, with some boasting green leaves most of the year that turns purple and red in the fall, or some that have purple and red leaves in the spring that turn green in summer then orange and red in the fall.
The colors throughout the year vary a good bit depending on the variety of Japanese maple, but almost all Japanese maple trees have something to offer by way of interesting colors to adorn your garden or yard.
Red Maple Trees
The red maple is one of the most common and popular varieties of maple trees.
It grows naturally in forests all over the northeastern United States and has been planted in yards and gardens all over the country.
Red maple trees are very plentiful in the northeast part of the country, where huge numbers of them can be grouped together, creating a spectacular sight in the fall that many people travel long distances to see.
Red maple trees are known for, as the name indicates, the distinctive, bright red color their leaves take during the autumn season.
Different varieties of red maple have been developed specifically for their beautiful fall colors. For example, the Autumn Blaze maple tree is, as its name indicates, a particularly bright tree in the fall, with leaves that turn brilliant orange or bright red.
But They Don’t Get The Name Red From Only Their Leaves
Red maples didn’t get their name from just the color of their autumn foliage.
Red maple trees have many red components, from their red twigs in winter to their red flowers in springtime.
They also have red buds and even some red components in the summer, such as the petiole (that’s the part of the tree that holds onto the leaves until they are ready to fall in autumn)!
Red Maple Trees Have Many Perks To Planting
Red maple trees make great shade trees, as they grow a lot of leaves in their tall canopies, providing a lot of shade under their branches throughout all seasons except winter.
Red maple trees are also very hardy trees, able to withstand variations in water, temperature, and sunlight.
They can survive very cold winters full of ice and snow, and they can live through heat and drought.
It is best, though, not to push the limits of your maple tree; in hot or dry weather, make sure to give even the red maple some extra water.
Maple trees actually need a lot of water, and if you decide to plant a red or Japanese maple, you should head on over to our article about why maple trees need so much water, to make sure you give your tree the best chance of survival!
1. Japanese Maples Trees Are Smaller Than Red Maple Trees
Japanese maple trees grow to a height of anywhere between six feet and 25 feet tall.
This is significantly smaller than most varieties of standard red maple which can grow to be as tall as 60 feet.
If you want a large shade tree to take the prominent spot in your front yard, a red maple might be ideal. You can plant just one tree and achieve a huge focal point that provides a ton of shade, plus the tree grows quickly, meaning it gets big fast.
Japanese Maples Are The Perfect Size For Gardens
Japanese maples, however, are very well suited to be grown in groups or placed in gardens where a tree with a smaller profile is best.
They work well near a bench, near other trees, next to a fence, or in a garden that has limited space.
If you live in a townhouse or condo, for example, your small back garden might be just right for a Japanese maple, which can fill the space and make it feel like your own little forest.
Red Maples Are Better For Shade Because They Grow Large
If you are looking to create a big statement in your yard, provide a great amount of shade, or just grow a big tree because you like maple trees, red maple is your better choice.
Red maple trees have huge, leafy canopies, perfect for providing shade to a large area. T
Their large size means that you can plant a single tree to provide the same amount of colorful plant life and visual interest as you could achieve with several smaller trees.
Of course, if the idea of several smaller plants or trees appeals to you, the Japanese maple will fit the bill best. It all depends on whether you want to plant multiple trees or just one, and on how much space you have in your yard or garden.
If shade is what you’re after, take a look at our article on the 6 reasons maples make the best shade trees!
2. Japanese Maple Trees Can Be Grown In Containers
One interesting focal feature you can introduce to a yard or garden is a tree grown in a container.
Japanese maples can also make great additions to porches, decks, or the sides of walkways and driveways. Knowing what types of trees can live in containers, though, can be a little tricky.
The Japanese maple is a great contender for a container tree. Some varieties of Japanese maple only grow to be several feet tall, so the trees stay small enough to live their mature lives in containers, as opposed to larger trees like the red maple which would need to be transferred.
Perks Of Growing In A Container
Growing a Japanese maple tree in a container is as simple as choosing a container large enough to accommodate the variety of trees you have purchased and then making sure you water it adequately and place it in the right amount of sunlight.
One bonus to putting your Japanese maple in a container is that you will be able to easily move it, meaning that if you need to adjust the tree’s sunlight or humidity, you can do so with ease.
You will also be able to move the Japanese maple indoors in the winter months, helping it stay healthier, especially in its early years when the young tree is most vulnerable to things like frost, ice, and snow.
Red Maples Have To Be Moved From Containers
You can start a young red maple sapling in a container, but you probably have two years at most before you will need to move it into the ground.
Red maples grow very large very quickly, so if you do not move the tree in time, the lack of space for its root ball will probably cause the tree’s demise.
3. Japanese Maple Trees Grow More Slowly Than Red Maple Trees
Red maple trees grow quite quickly. Red maple trees generally grow a foot or two every year.
This is not the case with Japanese maple trees, which are notoriously slow growers; some Japanese maple trees grow less than one foot per year.
It can take a full decade before Japanese maple trees are just 15 feet tall.
While most of the time it might seem like you want trees to grow as quickly as possible, that is not necessarily the case with ornamental trees meant to provide color or a little shade to a garden or small yard.
If you’re looking to create some shade fast, we have a helpful chart of the 8 fastest growing maple trees just for you!
4. They Require Different Amounts Of Sun
Most varieties of maple trees do well in full sun, as long as they are not being grown in a very hot, dry climate that can scorch their leaves.
In their native environment, like the northeastern United States, red maple trees prefer plentiful sunlight. You just have to consider the best fit for your particular location.
Choosing A Spot For A Japanese Maple
Japanese maple trees, however, grow best in partial shade or in complete shade in the afternoon. This means that you need to consider carefully the location of your tree before you plant it.
To achieve partial shade, first, observe the area of your yard or garden where you want to plant your Japanese maple tree. You’ll need to see how much sunlight the spot gets and at what times of the day.
Usually, plants and trees that prefer some shade are able to tolerate morning sunlight better than afternoon sunlight, which coincides with hotter temperatures and can be more scorching and damaging to delicate plants.
You can choose a sunny spot that is shaded in the afternoon, or you can choose a spot that gets indirect sunlight throughout the day.
The shady afternoon spot will probably be the result of your tree being planted near another tree, plant, or structure like your house, garage, or shed, where indirect light will probably occur if your tree is planted close enough to a larger tree (like a red maple, for example) that can shade it throughout all or most times of the day.
Choosing A Spot For A Red Maple
To plant your red maple tree in direct sunlight, observation is also key.
Red maple trees can tolerate some shade, so you don’t need full sun all day long, but you can be more relaxed in choosing a spot for a red maple tree, as it is not as picky about the afternoon sun.
An Exception To The Rule
One exception to these sunlight guidelines is if you live in a very hot, dry climate with a great deal of sunshine and very little clouds or rain.
In these cases, your tree can get scorched, even with just a few hours of sunlight.
There are two important mitigating methods here to follow:
- Make sure your maple tree, no matter what variety, is getting plenty of water. Trees in this environment will need much more water than a maple would need in another climate, so pay careful attention and make sure you are watering your tree regularly.
- You can choose a shadier spot than the general recommendation. Try placing your Japanese maple tree in a spot that is shady more often than it is sunny. The indirect sunlight might be enough to help the tree grow without scorching its leaves.
All in all, maple trees in most climates will do well with varying amounts of sunlight, but the general difference is that Japanese maple trees need more shade while red maple trees need more sun.
For a deeper dive into just how much sun your maple tree needs, check out our article all about it!
5. Japanese Maple Trees And Red Maple Trees Serve Different Purposes
You might have multiple reasons for your interest in planting a maple tree, so there is likely to be some overlap on your list of pros to both Japanese maple trees and red maple trees.
Both types of trees produce beautiful fall foliage, and both types of trees provide some amount of shade and both look beautiful in gardens or yards.
But there are some differences that might be key in your consideration of these two types of maple trees.
Japanese Maple Are Ornamental
Japanese maple trees are planted primarily for their aesthetic contributions to a yard or garden.
They are ornamental trees that do not produce any type of fruit or usable product, and they are not used for lumber.
Japanese maple trees are very frequently favored by gardeners looking to add beauty and visual interest to a landscape or garden.
Because they are smaller than most maple trees, Japanese maples can be planted closer than standard maples to fences or gates, in corners, and closer to other plants and trees. They are also very colorful, giving extra vibrancy to any garden.
Red Maple Trees Have More Functions
Red maple trees are likely to be planted for different purposes. Like the Japanese maple, the red maple is very beautiful, especially in the fall, but it grows much bigger and will not fit in the same types of spots as a Japanese maple.
The red maple is also a hardier tree, meaning that it can be grown in more extreme conditions than the Japanese maple, so it might serve a different purpose in a less shaded area of a garden or yard.
You are most likely to plant a red maple tree as a major focal point of a yard or to provide ample shade for your house or garden.
Red maple trees can also produce usable lumber or firewood, and they even produce sap that can be used for maple syrup.
So, essentially, red maple trees are more functional while Japanese maple trees are more decorative.
Planting A Maple Tree
You can choose whether a red maple or a Japanese maple is best suited for your yard or home.
Maybe you want to plant a container tree that you will not have to transport into the ground, so the Japanese maple is the clear choice for you. But maybe you are hoping to grow a large shade tree, so you should go with a red maple.
Either way, these are beautiful trees sure to enhance your yard or garden. If you decide to plant a tree, there are a few ways to go about it.
For more information on transporting maple trees, head on over to our article for the best ways to transport them! Although Japanese maple trees don’t have to be transported as often as the other variations, you still may want to eventually. This article is full of all the info you would need to know!
Ways To Plant
You can just get seeds and germinate them, then translate the seedlings into the ground or container.
If your budget permits and you would like to start further in the process, you can buy a seedling or sapling of varying sizes.
Some are even sold at several feet tall already, giving you quite the head start on growing your red or Japanese maple tree.
You can buy Japanese maple tree seeds if you want to grow your tree from a seedling. Yunakesa Japanese Maple Seeds, for example, are available online. You can also order live saplings if you want to start later in the process, like with this DAS Farms Red Maple Sapling.
That’s A Wrap!
Now you are ready to decide which type of maple tree is right for you. Or maybe you have decided to plant one of each. Either way, you now have enough information to tell these trees apart from each other and plant accordingly.
Now that you’ve got all the detail about which maple to grow, make sure to check out our article on a maple tree timeline, to assist you on your tree journey!
If you are unsure which tree is best for your environment, we recommend heading on over to a local professional to assist you.
Enjoy your new maple tree or trees!
References
Frank, S. D., Klingeman III, W. E., White, S. A., & Fulcher, A. (2013). Biology, injury, and management of maple tree pests in nurseries and urban landscapes. Journal of Integrated Pest Management, 4(1), B1-B14.
Honma, A., Koyama, T., & Yazawa, K. (2010). Antihyperglycemic effects of Japanese maple Acer amoenum leaf extract and its constituent corilagin. Journal of wood science, 56(6), 507-512.
