Painted Maple is a deciduous tree native to the forests of Japan, China, Korea, Mongolia, and Eastern Russia, prized for its exceptional foliage transformation throughout the seasons. Growing 30 to 40 feet tall, occasionally reaching 60 feet, with a rounded spreading crown, this species thrives in zones 5 through 8 and adapts to full sun or partial shade. Leaves emerge with striking bronze tints in spring, mature to bright green by summer, and ignite in shades of yellow and orange come autumn. The variable leaves, which can reach 3 to 6 inches long with 5 to 7 triangular lobes, exude a curious milky sap when cut, a trait that makes this maple distinctly memorable. Low maintenance and deer resistant, Painted Maple brings seasonal drama to the landscape with minimal fuss.
Partial Sun
Moderate
5-8
480in H x 480in W
—
Moderate
Hover over chart points for details
Spring bronze-tinted foliage maturing to summer green before erupting in yellow and orange fall color creates three distinct visual moments each year. This tree's rounded spreading form and moderate growth habit suit larger landscapes without dominating, while its deer resistance and tolerance of varied light conditions make it genuinely adaptable. The milky sap that bleeds from cut leaf stems is an unusual botanical quirk that catches the attention of curious gardeners, turning ordinary pruning into a moment of discovery.
Painted Maple serves as an ornamental shade tree, valued in landscape designs for its dependable seasonal color changes and moderate size. Its rounded spreading crown provides dappled shade in parks, larger residential gardens, and mixed tree plantings where year-round visual interest is desired. The tree occasionally assumes a shrubby form, offering flexibility in garden compositions where a smaller or more compact specimen is preferred.
No timeline data available yet for this variety.
Painted Maple develops its rounded spreading crown naturally and requires minimal pruning. Remove any dead, crossing, or diseased branches during dormancy in late winter or early spring. Light shaping can guide the tree's form when young, but avoid heavy pruning that might stress the tree or create entry points for disease. The tree's natural habit is attractive enough that restraint in the pruning saw often yields better results than aggressive shaping.
Enter your ZIP code to see a personalized growing calendar for this plant.
“Painted Maple originates from the temperate forest regions of East Asia, spanning Japan, China, Korea, Mongolia, and Eastern Russia, where it has grown wild for millennia. Its introduction to Western ornamental horticulture reflects the broader Victorian and early 20th-century passion for Asian trees, though detailed records of its cultivation journey remain sparse in available sources. The name 'Painted' references the artistry of its seasonal color transformations, a poetic acknowledgment of the tree's visual appeal that has resonated with gardeners across continents.”