The Growing Zone of the Japanese Maple

An ornamental Japanese maple

The Japanese maple tree, Acer palmatum, is native to the Asian countries of Japan, China and North and South Korea. The species ranges in height from 6 to 50 feet.

Distribution

The Japanese maple was introduced into the wild in the American states of Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Delaware and the District of Columbia, in addition to the Canadian province of Ontario, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The tree propagates naturally in those areas.

USDA Hardiness Zones

The U.S. National Arboretum reports that the Japanese maple is hardy to U.S. Department of Agriculture zone 5, a region where temperatures potentially can fall to between minus 10 and minus 20 degrees Fahrenheit. The University of Illinois Extension Service suggests that the tree thrives best in USDA zones 5 through 8.

Dry Zones

The Japanese maple may experience stress in extremely dry areas. Leaves often scorch in hot summer weather in U.S. Department of Agriculture hardiness zones 7b and 8 unless they are in some shade or irrigated during dry weather, according to the University of Florida's Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences. The tree tolerates direct sunlight better in northern climates.

References

• United States Department of Agriculture: Acer Palmatum
• United States National Arboretum: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map
• University of Illinois Extension: Japanese Maple
• University of Florida: Acer Palmatum