How to Care Autumn Moon Japanese Maple – Acer shirasawanum | Quick Guide

An outstanding ornamental tree, Autumn Moon Japanese Maple is a stunning shrub with exceptional foliage unfurling reddish-orange leaves.

Full-moon Japanese maple fascinates with blushing multi-shaded leaves transforming and blending colours beautifully.

If you have a small garden or want to grow in the container, it is the most ravishing maple you have ever seen in your life.

So, let’s begin with the history of the autumn moon Japanese maple, key attributes, its simple and easy care routine and pest problems so that you can grow it in your yard.

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History – Autumn Moon Japanese Maple

Autumn Moon Japanese Maple (Acer shirasawanum) is the small native tree of Japan that as many other maples came from the parent species Acer palmatum.

It is the full moon maple that is not abundantly found in America but is highly Prized in Japan.

There are many other cultivars of Acer but A. shirasawanum cultivar ‘Aureum’ (Full Moon Maple) is mostly grown and to prime interest.

Its been awarded the Royal Horticultural Society ‘Award of Garden Merit’.

Autumn moon maple has a quite interesting history. J.D Vertrees was a professional gardener who devoted his life to research on Japanese Maple.

He established a small Maple-wood Nursery where he worked on several varieties of maple and published his book named ‘Japanese Maples’ based on his personal experiences.

J.D Vertrees grew many varieties but in no time some seedlings caught his attention. He focused on that particular plant that became the tree “Autumn Moon Japanese Maple”.

Autumn Moon Japanese Maple – Key Features

Full moon maple is an elegant Acer with bold burnt orange coloured leaves that is the best choice for your garden.

This easy to grow maple is a shrub with brilliant orange sprouting leaves in spring that intensify as summer approaches.

The tones of new leaves intensify towards the ends of growing tips with golden green shades underlying orange margins.

Full-moon Japanese maple gives fully intensified reddish-orange leaves in bright sun or partial shade that turns into all shades of fire before falling in winter.

It can reach a height of 10 – 15 feet that may be up to 20 ft. at maturity and 5 – 7 feet wide.

This beautiful, heat tolerating plant’s leaves have 9 to 11 short lobes and a prominent rusty coloured midrib.

Stunning ivory pink flowers bloom in spring embellishing your garden with contrasting foliage colors.

If you want your garden to fiercely blush in sun, it is not late to give full moon maple place in your yard.

Full Moon Japanese Maple – Summary

Botanical Name	Acer shirasawanum
Hardiness	5, 6, 7
Height	10 – 15 ft
Width	5 – 7  ft
Leaf Color	Multi-color
Leaf Shape	9 – 11 lobed Fan Shape
Rate of Growth	Slow to intermediate
Soil	Well Drained Loamy Soil or Clay
Watering	Average
Sun Exposure	Full Sun to Partial Shade
Use	Ornamental City or Cottage Garden Tree

Autumn Moon Japanese Maple Care Routine

Growing and caring trees especially ornamental plants is such a fun-loving art that everyone loves.

Autumn moon Japanese is also a marvellous showy tree that you can maintain in your yard very easily by following a simple care routine.

So, cross-check your routine with the given guidelines and add what you are missing!

1. Soil

If you want to grow autumn moon maple in your garden, you have to use clay or loam for its best growth. Sandy soil will also work.

One important thing you have to keep in mind is that soil must be moist but not overwatered. Well-drained, acidic or neutral are ideal for growth.

If you add mulch, it will give good results by keeping roots cool and soil moist.

2. Water Demand

Japanese maple autumn moon doesn’t need too much water.

The weekly schedule is enough for soil to be moisturized but in extreme heat or in a dry environment, you can give water as per need.

3. Sun Exposure

These small to medium-sized cottage garden tree leaves depict wonderful bright fire colours in full sun.

It is bright sunshine to partial shade lover that’s why morning sun with afternoon shady place is the best location to grow Japanese maple.

4. Pruning

As far as pruning is concerned, you can prune in the dormant season but try not to prune in spring as it may damage the plant.

5. Care and Maintenance

Full-moon Japanese maple is easy to grow an ornamental tree with fewer care requirements and maintenance.

It can grow to a suitable height without demanding much attention.

Japanese Maple Autumn Moon Tree – Pests and Diseases

Full moon Japanese is generally not susceptible to a variety of plant diseases or pests but sometimes certain problems may dominate.

Full moon root rot, collar rot, verticillium-wilt, leaf spot and canker of stem are the diseases Acer autumn may experience.

Aphids, scales, mites and caterpillars may also disturb plant growth. 

So, after reading all key attributes and given guidelines, definitely, you have found that it is not a big deal to beautify your garden with full moon maple.

Now, select a small area in the yard and grow this gorgeous plant to enjoy its summer and fall foliage.

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