In this video, landscape designer, Jenn Nawada explains how to identify Japanese maple trees and how to incorporate them in a landscape design.
SUBSCRIBE to This Old House: http://bit.ly/SubscribeThisOldHouse.
What are Japanese Maples?
Also known as an acer palmatum, Japanese Maples are beautiful, ornamental, deciduous trees that come in a variety of colors and shapes. They feature red, spiked foliage and grow to about 10-20 feet tall.
Where do Japanese Maples Grow?
Japanese Maples are non-natives to the United States—they originated in Japan, the Korean Peninsula and China, and enjoy being planted in partial shade and grow in zones 5-8. [https://planthardiness.ars.usda.gov/PHZMWeb/]
How to Prune Japanese Maples
Once these trees are matured, which typically takes about 10 to 15 years, they should be pruned every few years, usually in the summer or middle of winter. Jenn demonstrates the three-cut method for pruning branches:
1. To prune, aim for the lower branches on the tree that seem to be tangled with other branches, or any dead branches.
2. Remove smaller branches with bypass pruners. For larger branches, start by making a relief cut from underneath, then cut the branch all the way through from the top.
3. Carefully cut away the stump once the weight of the branch has been removed using a pruning saw.
With little-to-no maintenance, Japanese Maples are the perfect way to add character to your landscape.
Skill Level: Beginner
Where to find it?
Jenn discussed a variety of Japanese maple trees, which can be found at most nurseries.
Expert assistance with this segment was provided by Stonegate Gardens (https://www.stonegategardens.com/).
Looking for more step by step guidance on how to complete projects around the house? Join This Old House Insider to stream over 1,000 episodes commercial-free: https://bit.ly/2GPiYbH
Plus, download our FREE app for full-episode streaming to your connected TV, phone or tablet: https://www.thisoldhouse.com/pages/streaming-app
About Ask This Old House TV:
From the makers of This Old House, America’s first and most trusted home improvement show, Ask This Old House answers the steady stream of home improvement questions asked by viewers across the United States. Covering topics from landscaping to electrical to HVAC and plumbing to painting and more. Ask This Old House features the experts from This Old House, including general contractor Tom Silva, plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey, landscape contractor Jenn Nawada, master carpenter Norm Abram, and host Kevin O’Connor. Ask This Old House helps you protect and preserve your greatest investment—your home.
Follow This Old House and Ask This Old House:
Facebook: http://bit.ly/ThisOldHouseFB
Twitter: http://bit.ly/AskTOHTwitter
Pinterest: http://bit.ly/ThisOldHousePinterest
Instagram: http://bit.ly/AskTOHIG
All About Japanese Maples | Ask This Old House
https://www.youtube.com/user/thisoldhouse/

34 Comments
Thank you.
Looks like a rat running behind her at 1:51
For a second there I thought it said "All About Japanese Nipples".
There’s some melons in this video. Not sure if y’all noticed them.
I just saw a rat run across her yard 😳 1:50
You can see a UFO (unidentified furry object) fly passed the ground at 1:50.
Why all the label says it can cause cancer?
I have a small blood Japanese maple but It grows very slow. Is it normal?
That branch you cut, can it grow it’s own roots if cultivated correctly?
Hello, I have a Coral Bark Japanese maple tree. The tree is planted in the ground, somehow, it is not doing too well, the leaves as slowly dying, especially at the top of the tree and working its way down. I've checked the ph level and it is registering 7.-8. Based on some of the research I've done thus far, I need to reduce the Ph level to 5.5-6.5. Can you confirm? Also, what would be the ideal fertilizer for this particular tree? I've heard people said Happy Frog Japanese Maple 4-3-4 is good. Thanking you in advance. LV
Is it ok if my japanese maple is turning a little yellow and during august?
Did anyone else see the giant rat run behind the presenter at 1:50 ?
1:50 bottom right corner, a lizard/squirrel thing saying hello and goodbye
Hey Jenn, our Parish has a Japanese Maple and I have been taking care of it. I noticed that it is not producing seeds, and the red color changed in the summer time? I am learning about this tree, even to to propagate it for future growth.
Please, if you have any advice to give to me.
what best soil mix for maple ?
Can I plant a Japanese maple in a container and then submerge/bury the container (with the tree in it) in the ground? The reason for this is because my HOA requires one tree to be planted in the ground (front of house), not exposed pots, and I wanted to keep my tree small and slow growth, without roots spreading underground massively and affecting my home foundation.
So its a non native plant that people feel like its okay to plant? Naw
Look for the rat that runs through the background in her garden at 1:53! Fun!
Such beautiful trees
Nothing about maple she didnt explain care nothing
Watching this amazing video really relaxes me. ☺️
My dwarf Japanese Maple just started dying and I'm not sure why the branches started to turn green and the leaves just started dying. What went wrong?
Good facts , well explained , music in background is nice
John 3:16
King James Version
16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
Are these two actors Robots? or actual humans? They almost seem realistic amazing
“All” ???
FYI…Large mouse or small rat @ 1:50.
I just planted 4 miniature Japanese maples in front of 5 Alaskan Weeping Cedar trees to contrast their dark green color with the red of the maples. I only hope the maples do well near them. I’m now concerned about acidity. My soil was heavy clay and not that fit so I put down about a foot of mushroom manure and topsoil mixture over a 70 foot by 15 foot strip. Then for each tree dug down 2.5 -3 feet and mixed in a bag of cow manure and pete mixture with the clay soil then topped the bulb off and mounded with the mushroom manure and topsoil mix. I hope all my new trees make it. It was one heck of an “investment”! Id be interested to hear your thoughts.
Red Japanese maple is the most elegant plant I’ve ever seen .. it’s so magnificent
I have a Red Japanese Maple and there are a couple of branches low down that I would like to take off. Is it possible to propagate a well established branch? I'd like to establish roots and replant them in another area. Thanks.
That was well done. I liked seeing the chipmunk run by and I'm sure you would look awesome in a bikini.
Can someone please help me , my beautiful Japanese maple is drying
I have white spots on my Japanese maple tree want to know what it is or how to take care of it
We have one that grew wild looking and pruning it never changed. We ended up cutting it down and now it has started back. It is about 4 inch tall and very healthy looking but being that small how do I protect it from winter