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Acer palmatum (common name: Japanese maple or smooth Japanese maple) is a species of woody plant native to Japan, North Korea, South Korea, eastern Mongolia, and southeast Russia.
Acer is Latin for sharp and palmatum means shaped like a hand, referring to the leaves.
Growth is slow to moderate, and the tree assumes a layered look with a low, dense, rounded top and spreading branches. The texture is medium to fine. Plant in dappled shade and evenly moist, well-drained soil, protecting it from drying winds.
Leaves are 2 to 5 inches, opposite, and simple with five to nine lobes. Most are deeply lobed. Color varies from green during summer to yellow, bronze, purple, and red in fall (color varies with cultivar). This is a prized specimen tree and one of the more versatile maple species for landscape use. Young leaves of this species are sensitive to frost and are not drought tolerant. Most cultivars are grafted and can be grown as a single or multi-stemmed small tree. They may suffer leaf scorch with excess sun, wind, or drought. This tree is mildly resistant to damage by deer.