Acer palmatum 'Scolopendrifolium' Green Bamboo Japanese Maple

Acer palmatum 'Scolopendrifolium' is a linearilobum-type Japanese maple with an upright, columnar habit that reaches 18-22 feet tall over fifteen years. Its defining feature is extremely narrow, strap-like light green leaflets that resemble bamboo foliage, creating an open, airy texture that contrasts strikingly with its notably dark chocolate-colored bark. Spring foliage emerges as a soft, mint-toned green, then transitions to bright red and deep maroon in autumn. According to the growers at Mr Maple, this cultivar pairs exceptionally well with broader-leaved cultivars like 'Emperor One' and red-leaved forms such as 'Bloodgood' or 'Tamokiyama', where the textural contrast heightens the visual impact of both trees; partial shade intensifies the pale green hue of the foliage while enhancing the bark's darkness, creating a striking interplay of color and form characteristic of traditional Japanese garden aesthetics.