Trees
Acer palmatum 'Tsuma gaki'
Tsuma gaki Japanese maple
Light yellow-green spring leaves carry conspicuous red tips, the feature behind Tsuma gaki's red-fingernails nickname. Those contrasting tips persist through spring before the leaves deepen to green for summer. The tree gradually forms a small rounded canopy, with warm red or orange colors returning in autumn.
At a glance
- Sun
- Partial shade
- Size
- Height: 5–7 ft in 10 years · Width: 4–6 ft in 10 years
- Water
- Evenly moist, well-drained soil
- Hardiness
- USDA zone 5 minimum
Sizes & prices
- #10$309.99
Catalog updated September 8, 2026. This is not a live stock count; please call to confirm availability and price.
Ask about this plantSelect a section to expand.
Landscape use & tree form
- Use
- Ornamental specimen
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Form
- Small, rounded
- Growth rate
- Slow
Resistance & tolerances
- Deer
- Mild resistance reported for Japanese maple; protect young trees.
- Drought
- Poor tolerance; dry soil can scorch leaves.
- Wet soil
- Needs drainage; avoid waterlogged soil.
Resistance is not a guarantee; deer and rabbits may browse any plant.
Seasonal interest
- Fall color
- Red
- Spring foliage
- Soft chartreuse leaves with red tips
Growing & care
- Soil
- Humus-rich, slightly acidic, moist but freely draining soil; avoid saturated planting pockets.
- Pruning
- Keep pruning minimal and preserve the natural branching. Remove dead or crossing shoots; make small corrective cuts after full leaf expansion to limit sap bleeding. Cut back to a well-placed side branch, without leaving stubs.
Sources & photo credits
University of Minnesota Extension
Iowa State University Extension
Photo: Photo © Iseli Nursery; customer promotional use. Watermark retained; web-optimized without enlargement. · Iseli customer plant-resale promotional photo grant
Reviewed September 22, 2026. Growing conditions vary by location.