Acer calcaratum

Rare Chinese Maple Tree

Zones 7-9

Acer calcaratum is an extremely rare and unique Chinese maple in section palmata. It's as closely related to Acer palmatum (your typical Japanese maple) as Acer shirasawanum and Acer japonicum (your full moon types) as it is in the same section. In fact, this Acer calcaratum is grafted onto Acer palmatum rootstock. It may even be able to hybridize with Japanese maples, providing us with even more diversity in the future. This maple is one of the rarest maples, especially of those closely related to Japanese maples with highly ornamental traits.

The leaf on Acer calcaratum is very unique and different. It has rounded back with a tri-lobed leaf. Acer calcaratum leafs out in the early spring with bright pink red new growth that fades to orange, then yellow, then green. New growth flushes during the summer come out again with this bright pink-red new growth. Fall colors are bright yellows to orange. Grafted onto Acer palmatum rootstock, we would estimate that this tree could reach 12-15 ft in 20 years. Due to this tree's tropical nature and rarity we do not know its hardiness zone tolerance. We would guess that it would be zones 6-9 as it appears to be performing fairly well for us. It might handle much colder climates, but it has not been trialed. 

*Update - Acer calcaratum has survived many winters outside in Zone 6B, with winters that have dipped below 0 degrees Fahrenheit and wind chills in the negatives. Acer calcaratum has been surprisingly hardy for us.

Acer calcaratum is a tree for the sophisticated gardener who wants something beautiful that is truly unique and different.

Trees were potted from large liners to gallons in this spring and may not have completely filled out their pots.

Limited Quantities Available !! As we have over a thousand cultivars of Japanese maples, we often do not have many of each cultivar. We recommend that you buy the Japanese maples you want immediately as we often sell out of certain selections.