Description

• The Japanese red maple produces brilliant reddish-colored leaves during spring and autumn months and green leaves in the summer. This tree reaches 15 to 20 feet in height with branches spanning 20 feet, according to the Arbor Day Foundation. Gardeners may plant them singly or in groups.
  
  

Propagation

• Japanese maple trees can grow from seed, grafts or cuttings. Of these methods, gardeners prefer grafting, as it helps to ensure hardier trees of the exact variety desired with a relatively high success rate, according to Sooner Plant Farm
  
  

Pests and Diseases

• While Japanese maple trees generally have little trouble with pests, they may encounter infestations by aphids, spider mites, snails and slugs. Gardeners should watch their maples for common tree diseases, such as anthracnose, a form of leaf blight, and fungal infections from botrytis, fusarium and verticillium.