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Ki Hachijo Japanese Maple

Acer palmatum 'Ki-hachijo'

Ki Hachijo Japanese Maple

Acer palmatum 'Ki-hachijo'

This product is currently out of stock and unavailable.

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How are the heights measured?

All tree, and nothin' but the tree! We measure from the top of the soil to the top of the tree; the height of the container or the root system is never included in our measurements.

What is a gallon container?

Nursery containers come in a variety of different sizes, and old-school nursery slang has stuck. While the industry-standard terminology is to call the sizes "Gallon Containers", that doesn't exactly translate to the traditional liquid "gallon" size we think of. You'll find we carry young 1-gallons, up to more mature 7-gallons ranging anywhere from 6 inches to 6ft.

How does the delivery process work?

All of our orders ship via FedEx Ground! Once your order is placed online, our magic elves get right to work picking, staging, boxing and shipping your trees. Orders typically ship out within 2 business days. You will receive email notifications along the way on the progress of your order, as well as tracking information to track your plants all the way to their new home!

Why are some states excluded from shipping?

The short & sweet answer is: "United States Department of Agriculture Restrictions." Every state has their own unique USDA restrictions on which plants they allow to come into their state. While we wish we could serve everyone, it's for the safety of native species and helps prevent the spread of invasive disease & pests. We've gotta protect good ole' Mother Nature, after all.

About Me

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The Ki-hachijo Japanese Maple is a graceful small tree, growing 15 to 20 feet tall, and up to 15 feet wide. It rounded crown is distinctly layered, and the trunk is decorated with white vertical lines. The distinctive leaves are deeply divided into 7 lobes, each edged in double serrations, giving them a delicate lacy look, while they stay durable and heat resistant. In fall the leaves glow with the richest shades of yellow, gold, amber and rich, pumpkin orange. Grow this tree as a lawn specimen in a smaller garden, or in a courtyard. It brings grace and fall color to a woodland garden, and it is perfect for an Asian-influenced area.

  • Unique lacy edges on deeply-lobed leaves
  • Spectacular fall colors of gold, amber and deep orange
  • Graceful specimen tree of great charm
  • Mature bark is marked with wavy vertical white lines
  • Perfect choice for all styles of garden

Morning sun and afternoon shade suit the Ki-hachijo Japanese Maple perfectly. It grows best in moist, well-drained and rich soil, and mulch it regularly to conserve moisture and keep the roots cool. Pests or diseases never bother it, and it grows quickly into a charming tree. Some pruning in winter will enhance its grace and develop a mature look sooner. This tree is hardy in zone 6, and recommended for warmer zones, as the broader leaves do not scorch easily.

Plant Hardiness Zones 6-9
Mature Width 12-15
Mature Height 15-20
Sun Needs Full Sun, Partial Sun
Zones 6-9

The beauty of the red-leaf Japanese maples is obvious, which is why they are so popular. But beauty can be more subtle too, and much of the spirit of Japan is in the appreciation of beauty that takes a little time to contemplate and absorb. This is true of the green leaf Japanese maples, which are sadly often overlooked in favor of instant effect. It would certainly be a big mistake to overlook the Ki-hachijo Japanese Maple just because its leaves are green. Look more closely and appreciate the lacy beauty of its unique deeply-serrated leaf margins. Savor the anticipation of its outstanding fall colors of complex golden yellows and oranges. The more you look, the better it gets. Ki-hachijo translates from Japanese into ‘the charm of eight girls’, suggesting that this tree is more charming than any one young woman, and it would take the grace and beauty of eight to match it – a measure of how much this tree is loved in its homeland.

Growing Ki-hachijo Japanese Maple Trees

The Ki-hachijo Japanese Maple is a strong and vigorous plant that grows quickly into a rounded tree between 15 and 20 feet tall, and 12 to 15 feet wide. It grows as a multi-stem tree, and the bark is a special feature. On the trunk and older limbs, the bark is smooth and brown-green, with white vertical wavy lines down it. The older the tree becomes, the more pronounced this winter feature is. The leaves are divided into 7 lobes, cut deeply into the leaf, almost to the base. The leaves are very flat and held horizontally, and their margins are double-serrate, that is, they are cut into ‘teeth’, with those teeth cut again into more. The effect is lacy and delicate, making the leaves appear feathery and soft. The way the leaves splay out, without drooping at the tips, gives the tree a very layered look, which can be further emphasized by some winter pruning. The leaves are very light green in spring, turning into a clear green for summer. Then in fall the tree becomes extraordinary shades of glowing oranges and gold, making a wonderful show that rivals any other maple. The intricate serrations of the leaves pick up and amplifies the way the leaves shade from amber to pumpkin-orange towards their edges, enhancing the beauty of this wonderful tree.

Grow the Ki-hachijo Japanese Maple as an elegant lawn specimen in any style of garden. It is ideal for smaller spaces, where full-sized shade trees would be overpowering and out of scale. Grow it at the back of large beds, where its fall colors will be shown to perfection. Plant it in a clearing in a wooded area, or beneath larger trees. Naturally it will look perfect in any Asian-themed garden, and remember that the Japanese themselves aim for simplicity, charm and subtlety in their gardens – qualities this tree has in abundance. It would also be lovely in a planter or pot, and of course it would make a graceful bonsai tree as well.

The Ki-hachijo Japanese Maple should be grown in full sun in zone 6, if the soil is moist, or in partial shade otherwise, in all zones. Afternoon shade is preferred, with morning sun, and some direct sun is needed to develop the best fall colors. The soil should be moist, well-drained, and enriched with organic material like compost, rotted leaves or well-rotted manure. Use a similar material each year or two, in spring, as mulch over the roots. Keep it away from direct contact with the trunk and cover all the root zone 2 to 4 inches deep. This will keep the roots cool, as well as conserving moisture. With its broader leaves this tree is more resistant to heat, and to some dryness, than many other, more delicate Japanese maples – another plus for this great tree. Watering during dry periods is very valuable, and some tree fertilizer in early spring will encourage vigorous growth, with this tree easily adding 12 inches of new growth each year. Late fall, after the leaves drop, or in winter is the time to do any pruning – do not prune in spring or summer, as this tree will bleed sap at those times. Remove small, twiggy stems from the trunk as it thickens, to reveal the beautiful winter bark, and to show off the grace of the foliage. Pruning is not essential, apart from removing any weak or dead branches, but it will give the tree a mature look sooner. Pests or diseases are normally never an issue with this reliable and durable tree.

History and Origins of Ki-hachijo Japanese Maple Trees

The Ki-hachijo Japanese Maple is a special form of the Japanese maple, Acer palmatum. This tree grows naturally in Japan, parts of China, and in Korea. Special forms have been treasured and grown by the Japanese for centuries, and the variety called ‘Ki-hachijo’ is probably of ancient origin, but we have very little information on that. We do know that this tree is highly regarded for the unique form of its leaves, its graceful form, and for its wonderful fall colors. It is rare, so we are pleased to be able to offer it to our discerning customers, who come to us for the very best of the Japanese maples. Order now, because our stock is limited, and it will soon be gone.

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Ki Hachijo Japanese Maple

Acer palmatum 'Ki-hachijo'