Acer palmatum 'Cricket' Narrow Growing Japanese Maple

'Cricket' is a narrow, upright Japanese maple with bright red spring foliage that matures to deep maroon before turning fiery red in autumn, displaying the warm, luminous glow characteristic of its parent 'Fireglow'. The cultivar develops a distinctly columnar form, reaching approximately 8-10 feet tall and 3-4 feet wide at maturity, growing only 6-8 inches in height annually. According to the growers at Mr Maple, 'Cricket' originated as a chance witch's broom discovered by Elizabeth Mundy at Acer Acres within a batch of 'Fireglow' seedlings; the leaf shape is slightly crisper and more sharply lobed than comparable columnar cultivars, with shorter center lobes that give it a distinctive bubbly texture. It performs well in partial shade while maintaining its narrow columnar habit and vibrant color, making it well-suited for vertical accents, foundation plantings, or paired entries without encroaching into walkways.