Acer rufinerve – Grey budded snake-bark maple, Honshu maple

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Aceraceae

Acer rufinerve – Grey budded snake-bark maple, Honshu maple

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A large shrub that may grow into a multi-stemmed tree. The loose habit generates an open, vase-like shaped crown. The tree can reach 10 m tall. In its original habitat in Japan it can even reach 12 m. When the tree is bare, the olive-green twigs are visible and show striking, white-grey longitudinal stripes. The green, 3-lobed, leaf varies in size from 7 to 15 cm. Across it is circa 10 cm. In autumn it turns from flaming orange-red to scarlet-red. This is a very important decorative feature. The tree forms a shallow root system which branches out profusely. A much applied maple from the group of striated maples. Though the plant prefers a warm position, scorching may occur in hot summers.
Good news: the vast majority of our range is immediately available from container stock. A few varieties that are only available as field-grown trees will be delivered from November 2026 onwards. We will let you know in advance per order which trees will arrive when.
Availability
Multi-stem (3)
Specifications
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Height
9 - 12 m
Crown
wide vase-like shaped, light, open crown, capricious growing
Bark and branches
green with white-grey stripes
Leaf
palmate, dark green, 5 - 15 cm
Autumn colour
yellow, red
Flowers
yellow-green, in corymbs, April/May
Fruits
winged nutlets
Spines/thorns
None
Toxicity
usually not toxic to people, (large) pets and livestock
Soil type
lightly acid, permeating but not dry
Paving
tolerates no paving
Winter hardiness zone
6a (-23,3 to -20,6 °C)
Wind resistance
good
Other resistances
resistant to frost (WH 1 - 6), can withstand wind
Fauna tree
valuable for bees (honey plant)
Application
parks, squares, tree containers, cemeteries, large gardens, small gardens
Shape
clearstem tree, multi-stem treem
Origin
Japan
Clear stem tree Multi-stem tree acid soil clay soil loamy soil sandy soil tolerates no paving resistant to frost (WH 1 - 6) suitable for shadow can withstand wind vase-shaped 2nd size, between 6 and 12 metres open crown green average growing all species Attractive autumn colour valuable for bees (honey plant) non-toxic (usually) Capricious growing playground tree
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Frequently asked questions
Acer rufinerve

Acer rufinerve can eventually reach a height of 9 - 12 m, depending on the site and climate conditions.

Acer rufinerve is average growing and can eventually reach a height of 9 - 12 m, depending on the site and climate conditions.

The leaves of Acer rufinerve turn yellow, red in autumn.

The right time to plant Acer rufinerve is during the dormancy period. In Western Europe, Acer rufinerve with root balls can generally be planted from mid-November to late April, although this depends strongly on the climatic conditions and the species of tree.

Acer rufinerve blooms in .
General