FOR PICK UP ONLY | Acer palmatum 'Emperor 1' Japanese Maple Tree | DOES NOT SHIP

Acer palmatum 'Emperor 1' is an upright Japanese maple with deep maroon foliage that emerges in early spring and holds rich dark red color through summer, transitioning to fire-engine scarlet in autumn. The leaves have glossy green undersides that create a distinctive shimmer when moved by wind. This cultivar grows at a moderate to fairly fast rate, reaching approximately 15 feet at maturity with a rounded yet distinctly upright habit. According to the growers at Mr Maple, this selection was introduced by Dick Wolfe of Red Maple Nurseries in Lima, Pennsylvania, and is valued for exceptional heat and cold tolerance, it leafs out two weeks later than many maples, making it excellent for colder climates prone to late frost, while also performing reliably in hotter southern regions with filtered light or morning sun. The dark chocolatey-red bark on new growth adds winter interest, and the cultivar is one of the premier red upright maples for gardeners seeking reliable color retention and faster establishment.