Japanese name: ミツデカエデ（三手楓） Scientific name:Acer cissifolium
[Overview]
A dioecious deciduous tree growing in the mountains, reaching about 20 m tall.
The trunk is erect.
The leaves are opposite and compound, consisting of 3 leaflets.
The terminal leaflet is 5–11 cm long, with several pairs of large serrations on the upper half.
The petiole is 2–8 cm long, and is longer on leaves nearer the branch tips.
Both sides of the leaves and the petioles are densely covered with appressed hairs, but these become sparse by the time the fruits form.
The leaves turn red in autumn.
The flowers are borne, 20–40 per raceme 5–8 cm long, from the leaf axils, and hang down.
The flowers are pale yellow, with 4 sepals and 4 petals.
The petals are about 2.5 mm long.
The fruits are 2.5–3 cm long and borne in pairs, each with a propeller-like wing, and the wings spread from parallel to an acute angle.
[Cultivation]
Propagate from seed or cuttings.
It prefers a well-drained site in partial shade to full sun.
Partial shade is better, especially while the tree is young.
In shade, the autumn color develops poorly.
Longhorn beetles and aphids cause damage, so catch and kill them as soon as they are found.
