Acer palmatum 'Gold Digger' Yellow Coral Bark Japanese Maple

'Gold Digger' is a mid-size upright Japanese maple prized for year-round ornamental interest, combining dynamic foliage with distinctive seasonal bark color. Spring growth emerges coral-pink before maturing to soft green in summer; fall foliage transitions through yellow to orange-red tones. The bark displays pale yellow throughout the growing season, intensifying to bold coral-pink and red hues as temperatures drop in fall and winter, with color saturation influenced by sunlight exposure. According to the growers at Mr Maple, this cultivar originated as a yellow-barked seedling discovered in Raleigh, North Carolina by Lofty Munger, and was selected and introduced into nursery trade through their Area 51 collection after rigorous evaluation. It reaches 8-10 feet in height within ten years, performing best in well-draining soil and benefiting from afternoon shade in zones 8-9; hardy to zone 6, with zone 5 requiring careful siting.