Acer palmatum 'Tsuma gaki' Japanese Maple

Acer palmatum 'Tsuma gaki' produces large leaves with lime-green to yellow-green centers and distinctive deep purple-red borders on the lobe tips, a feature that inspired its name, meaning "painted nails." Spring foliage displays this striking contrast most vividly with morning sun exposure; afternoon shade in hot climates helps preserve the red margins into late summer before the leaves transition to orangey-red autumn tones. The tree develops a rounded, horizontally branched dome-shaped canopy, typically reaching 6-8 feet tall and wide within 10 years, though it is a moderate grower that can eventually exceed 10 feet. According to the growers at Mr Maple, this is an older cultivar of proven durability that prefers excellent drainage and benefits from morning sun paired with late-day shade to extend the distinctive fingernail-like coloration and maintain vigorous growth.