Acer palmatum 'Baton Rouge' Coral Bark Japanese Maple

'Baton Rouge' is a coral-barked Japanese maple with bright red winter stems and foliage that transitions through yellow in early fall before turning bright red, a trait uncommon among coral bark cultivars. The leaves resemble those of 'Sango kaku' but are typically larger and display bronze tones in strong sunlight. This mid-sized selection grows approximately 10-12 inches per year, reaching 8-10 feet in height within a decade, and is notably heat and sun tolerant in warm climates. According to the growers at Mr Maple, 'Baton Rouge' originated as a chance seedling discovered near Warren, Texas, and was selected for its ability to display intense bark color even in the Deep South's limited winters, making it exceptionally valuable for gardeners in warm regions seeking reliable winter ornament combined with red fall color.