Acer capillipes

Also Known As

Acer capiles
Kyushu Maple
Red Snakebark Maple
Snake Bark Maple

Plant type

tree

size

H: 25'-40'
W: 20'-35'

planting zones

4a-9b

More Options

Acer capillipes plant details

Acer capillipes is a moderate-growing broadleaf deciduous tree with green foliage. In spring chartreuse and green flowers emerge. Attracts bees, beneficial insects and birds making it an excellent addition to pollinator gardens. Grows well with sun - mostly shade and even moisture - regular water. Does well in average, rich and well-drained soil. A good option if you're seeking something humidity tolerant.

CHARACTERISTICS OF Acer capillipes

Plant type: tree
Plant family: sapindaceae
Foliage: deciduous green
Mature size: 20 FT - 35 FT - wide, 25 FT - 40 FT - tall
Flowers: chartreuse and green blooms in spring
Uses: fall color, rare, striped bark, understory

GROWING CONDITIONS for Acer capillipes

USDA Zones: 4a - 9b
Sun exposure: sun - mostly shade
Watering frequency: even moisture - regular
Resistant to: humidity
Soil needs: average, rich and well-drained

Nursery contributed plant descriptions

"A bold, beautiful tree" (Vertrees), to 30' eventually, with bright-coral new growth, followed by nice autumn color, and green bark, striped with darker green (attractive all year) and pretty red, stand-up leaf stems. S-PSh/M

By: Forestfarm

Captivating, round headed tree with spreading branches – ultimate size 25-30', moderate growth rate. Rarely grown beauty with green bark clearly marked with vertical white lines, very special! Sun to part shade (requires part shade in hot climates); prefers moist, well drained soils; deciduous; fall color is dramatic - orange to red! Leaves, three lobed, are reddish in spring, retaining red petioles all season. Choice selection for understory to taller trees. USDA Zone 4 4" pot

By: Secret Garden Growers

With its red new stem growth and leaf petioles, it is more ornamental and easily distinguished from common snake-bark species such as A. davidii, A. pensylvanicum or A. rufinerve. Of modest size and easy to grow, it merits a spot in the garden where it behaves like a chameleon in its seasonally changing charm.

By: Heritage Seedlings

Known as the Red Snakebark Maple or Kyushu Maple this is a wonderful snakebark that typically grows 10-15m high and is often multitrunked, fall color is a beautiful red which contrasts well with the striped bark. In the wild in southern japan it is often found along mountain streams.

By: Arrowhead Alpines

A beautiful and unusual small tree with rich green bark with white mottling. The large deep green maple foliage is quite sun tolerant. In spring the Snake Bark Maple produces long dangling clusters of green winged maple seeds.

By: Almost Eden

Deciduous shrub or small tree. Bright pinkish red new stems, ageing to white striped green-brown, serrated edged leaves. Zone 5-9. 15'-30'. Japan, sun-partr shade, moist, well drained

By: Keeping it Green Nursery

According to Michael Dirr, this is the most heat tolerant of all the Snake-bark Maples. A. capillipes grows 25-30' tall and bears showy 4-6" pendulous racemes of samoras that turn shades of red in the fall. Autumn foliage color is usually in shades of red although occasionally yellow tones appear. The handsome greenish white striping of the bark adds winter interest.