Japanese name: イタヤカエデ（板屋楓） Scientific name:Acer pictum
[Overview]
A deciduous tree growing in the mountains, reaching 25 m in height.
The trunk is erect.
The leaves are opposite, 7–13 cm long and 10–20 cm wide, palmately divided into 5–7 lobes, without serrations.
The petiole is 3–12 cm long and is longer on leaves lower on the branch.
The leaves turn yellow in autumn.
The flowers are borne 10–50 in compound racemes 3–4 cm long at the branch tips, with male and bisexual flowers on the same tree.
The flowers have 5 sepals and 5 petals.
The petals are pale yellow.
The fruits are about 2–2.5 cm long and borne in pairs, each with a propeller-like wing, spreading at an acute angle.
[Cultivation]
Propagate from seed or by cuttings.
It prefers a well-drained place in full sun to partial shade.
Partial shade is better, especially while the tree is young.
In shade, the yellow autumn color develops poorly.
Damage from longhorn beetles and aphids occurs, so kill them as soon as they are found.
