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Coral Bark Japanese Maple

Acer palmatum 'Sango Kaku'

  • Brilliant Coral-Red Winter Stems Light up Your Garden When Other Plants Fade
  • Thrives in Zones 5-8
  • Drought Tolerant, Rabbit Resistant
  • Stunning Yellow Fall Foliage
  • Showy Purple, Red Blooms in Late Spring
Sale price $5242 Regular price $8736
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Plant Size

Specifications

Plant specifications
Plant Characteristics Attracts Birds, Cold hardy, Container Friendly, Deer-resistant, Disease resistant, Fall Color/Interest, Fast-growing, Low Maintenance, Non-invasive, Ornamental Berries/Fruit, Shade Tolerant
Hardiness Zone 6a to 8b
Sunlight Full sun, Partial shade
Height 20-25 ft
Width 15-20 ft
Watering Needs Moderate
Preferred Soil Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Peaty, Sandy
Growth Rate Moderate
Blooms In Spring
Flower Color Purple, Red
Suitable Space Outdoors
Plant Name Maple
Botanical Name Acer palmatum 'Sango Kaku'
Species palmatum
Cultivar Sango Kaku
Class Magnoliopsida
Does Not Ship To AK, HI, ID, MT, PR
M
Marc (United States)
Received in Virginia with care

I received a pair of these trees, both in great shape looking as if I just bought them from a local nursery, they were prepared that good. Both are beautiful specimens. Color good leaves in great shape. Thank you for packing them with, obviously, such care.

Coral Bark Japanese Maple ships as a bare-root or potted specimen that can look rough after a few days in a box, so it's great to hear both trees arrived looking nursery-fresh. They're going to put on a show for you in Virginia, especially in late fall and winter when that bark really comes into its own. Thanks for the kind words about our packing crew. They take real pride in getting trees to their destination in good shape.

R
Robert
Coral Bark Maple

I recieved the trees in a timely manner. They came and were not as red as pictured. However, dont lose hope. The trees were in great shape and packaged very well. I had purchased one for myself and one for a wedding venue landscape design i was doing. What a beautiful tree....After sun exposure and some time in the ground these trees are BRIGHT red as they should be especially this winter... WOW. I will continue to use nature hills for additional trees and shrubs. My Primrise Lilac I got here was also a great purchase with a very large and healthy plant from the start. Very pleased!!!

Dear Robert,

Thank you so much for taking the time to share your wonderful experience with your Coral Bark Maple and Primrose Lilac! We truly appreciate your thoughtful feedback. It's fantastic to hear the trees arrived in great condition and that, once acclimated, the vibrant red coloration you expected took center stage—even through the winter months. It sounds like your landscaping at the wedding venue must be absolutely stunning with such a beautiful focal point!

We’re also delighted your Primrose Lilac has shown such healthy growth. Your success with multiple varieties speaks volumes, and we couldn’t be happier you chose Nature Hills to be part of your planting journey. If you ever need guidance on care or suggestions for future landscaping projects, please don’t hesitate to reach out. We’re always here to help your garden thrive.

Thank you again for your trust and positive review. We look forward to growing alongside you!

Rooting for your garden’s success,
Your Nature Hills Plant Care Team

R
Robert
Coral Bark Maple

Trees came very well packaged and in great health. Their size was as advertised. I will definitely use Nature Hill's again!

Hello Robert,

Thank you so much for taking the time to share your positive experience with your Coral Bark Maple purchase! We’re delighted to hear that the trees arrived healthy, well-packaged, and just as described. It’s wonderful customers like you that make our work so rewarding. Should you need any tips on planting or care as your maples settle in, please don’t hesitate to reach out — we’re always happy to provide guidance to help your new trees thrive.

Rooting for your garden’s success,
Your Nature Hills Plant Care Team

J
Jo
So Pleased and happy

Our tree just arrived and it is beautiful, healthy, and full of leaves. Taller than I expected. So pleased.

Hi Jo,

Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful feedback! We’re thrilled to hear that your tree arrived healthy, full of leaves, and taller than you expected—what a lovely surprise! It sounds like it’s already making a beautiful addition to your space.

If you ever need tips on how to care for your tree to keep it thriving, please don’t hesitate to reach out. We have a variety of planting and care guides on our website as well, which might be helpful as you watch your new tree grow.

Bloom on,
The Nature Hills Plant Knowledge Team

S
Stuart
Very nice!

I ordered a Coral Bark Japanese Maple. It took a couple weeks to ship but I got it today. The tree looks fantastic. That packaging was done so well I am still amazed they could ship a small tree like that and it got here perfectly. It rained all morning but I'll get it planted tomorrow. It's in great shape. I think it will do very well.

Hi Stuart,

Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful experience! We’re thrilled to hear that your Coral Bark Japanese Maple arrived in fantastic condition and that you were impressed with the packaging—our team takes great care to ensure every plant arrives healthy and ready to thrive. It’s great that despite the rain, your new tree is shining and fit for planting tomorrow. To help your maple get off to the best start, you might want to check out our planting and care guide specifically tailored for Japanese maples on our website.

If you ever have any questions as your tree grows, don’t hesitate to reach out—we’re here to assist. Wishing you many years of beauty from your new addition!

Wishing you happy planting,
The Nature Hills Plant Experts

S
Stuart
Very nice!

I ordered a Coral Bark Japanese Maple. It took a couple weeks to ship but I got it today. The tree looks fantastic. That packaging was done so well I am still amazed they could ship a small tree like that and it got here perfectly. It rained all morning but I'll get it planted tomorrow. It's in great shape. I think it will do very well.

Hi Stuart,

Thank you so much for sharing your experience with your Coral Bark Japanese Maple! We’re thrilled to hear the tree arrived in perfect condition and that you were impressed by our packaging—it means a lot to hear that kind of thoughtful feedback. A little rain before planting can actually be great; it helps prepare the soil and get your tree off to a healthy start. When you do plant it, make sure to choose a spot with partial shade and well-drained soil, as Japanese Maples really thrive in those conditions. If you have any questions along the way or need tips on care and maintenance, don’t hesitate to reach out!

Wishing you happy planting,
The Nature Hills Plant Experts

G
Guest
Coral bark Japanese Maple

Very pretty tree, I planted it on the day it arrived and it starting to leaf-out with new green and red leaves. Looking great already.It arrived well packaged and undamaged.

Hello Guest,

Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful experience with your new Coral Bark Japanese Maple! We're thrilled to hear it arrived in perfect condition and that it’s already showing such vibrant leaves so quickly. It sounds like you have a bright and beautiful addition to your garden taking root, and that makes us so happy.

If you ever want tips on caring for your maple throughout the seasons or best practices to keep those green and red hues shining, feel free to reach out. We’re here anytime you need advice or assistance with your planting journey.

Bloom on,
The Nature Hills Plant Knowledge Team

R
Robert
Coral bark Japanese Maple

Very pretty tree, I planted it on the day it arrived and it starting to leaf-out with new green and red leaves. Looking great already.It arrived well packaged and undamaged.

Hello Guest,

Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful experience with the Coral Bark Japanese Maple! We're delighted to hear that it arrived safely, was well-packaged, and that you planted it right away. Watching those fresh green and red leaves emerge is truly one of the joys of gardening.

If you ever have any questions about caring for your maple—like optimal watering practices, fertilizing tips, or guidance on seasonal care—please don't hesitate to reach out. We also have helpful resources on our website that provide detailed information to help your tree thrive year-round.

Wishing you happy planting,
The Nature Hills Plant Experts

S
Scot

what are the dimensions of the #5 size option

Nature Hills Nursery

Hi Scot! Thank you for your interest in our Coral Bark Japanese Maples! If you are referring to the dimensions of the container itself, we do not have exact dimenstions for you, as that size container is considered a "trade gallon" and the growers we source our plants from don't have standardized dimentions for this container. However,tThe actual height and diameter can vary significantly between manufacturers, but generally, a #5 pot might be approximately 10-12 inches in height and 10-12 inches in diameter (top). We hope this helps!

Thank you,
Nature Hills Customer Service

Frequently Asked Questions

Can coral bark japanese maple take full sun?

  • Coral Bark Japanese Maples prefer partial shade to dappled sunlight rather than full sun exposure. Too much direct sunlight can scorch the delicate, finely dissected foliage and fade the vibrant coral-red bark color. Plant in morning sun with afternoon shade for best results.

Can japanese maple trees be planted in full sun?

  • Japanese maples prefer partial shade to protect their delicate foliage from scorching. The Coral Bark variety tolerates more sun than most, but morning sun with afternoon shade produces the best leaf color and bark display. Shop at Nature Hills for healthy specimens.

What USDA hardiness zones can Coral Bark Japanese Maple survive in?

  • Coral Bark Japanese Maple thrives in USDA zones 5-8, handling temperatures down to -20°F. This hardy maple adapts well across a wide temperature range. Plant in partial shade with well-draining soil for best results.

How tall and wide does a mature Coral Bark Japanese Maple grow?

  • Coral Bark Japanese Maple typically reaches 15-25 feet tall and 15-20 feet wide at maturity. This smaller-statured tree grows slowly, taking 10-20 years to reach full size. Plan for adequate spacing since its graceful branching structure needs room to develop properly.

Are Coral Bark Japanese Maples deer resistant?

  • Coral Bark Japanese Maples are not deer resistant and are often browsed by deer, especially young growth and tender foliage. The attractive dissected leaves and red-tinged bark make them particularly appealing to wildlife. Plant in fenced areas or use deer deterrents to protect your investment when you shop at Nature Hills.

What kind of fertilizer does Coral Bark Japanese Maple need?

  • Coral Bark Japanese Maples thrive with balanced, slow-release fertilizer applied in early spring. These trees prefer organic options like compost or a 10-10-10 formula. Avoid high-nitrogen fertilizers which can reduce the vibrant coral bark coloration. Feed once yearly before new growth begins.

Is this a fast-growing or slow-growing tree?

  • Coral Bark Japanese Maples are moderate growers, typically adding 1-2 feet per year to reach 20-25 feet at maturity. They're slower than many shade trees but faster than dwarf varieties. Expect to see good structural development within 3-5 years after planting.