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Emperor Japanese Maple

$9995 $13995
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Your Plants are Guaranteed to Grow

Your plants are guaranteed to arrive happy & healthy with our 1 Year Warranty. Your order will arrive healthy and stay healthy while they adapt to your climate. If your tree arrives damaged or dies within 30 days, we'll replace it for free. If it dies after 30 days, but before 1 year, we will replace it for just 50% of the current price.

Free Shipping on All Orders

Relax... we've got you covered with free shipping on every order! We ship out so many huge plants, we've negotiated a low rate with our carriers... and we pass those savings on to you! Your plants will ship out the next business day... expertly packed so that your plants will arrive happy and healthy!

Is Now a Good Time to Plant?

Yes! Fall is one of the best times to plant!

Landscaping experts often recommend planting in fall instead of waiting until spring. Here’s why:

  • Cooler weather puts less stress on newly planted trees and shrubs.
  • Fall soil is still warm, which helps roots grow and get established.
  • Cooler temperatures mean less water is lost through the leaves, making it easier for plants to stay hydrated.
  • Even after top growth slows for winter, roots continue developing below ground.
  • Fall weather often brings more rain and less heat, making new plants easier to care for.
  • By spring, your plants already have a head start. Their established roots can support strong new leaves, branches, and flowers.
  • Trees planted in spring must establish their roots while also dealing with rising temperatures and summer heat.

Plant this fall, and your trees can spend the cooler months getting settled instead of waiting until spring to get started!

Planting your Emperor Japanese Maple

Planting Instructions for Emperor Japanese Maple

  1. Choosing the Right Location: Plant your Emperor Japanese Maple in full sun to partial shade. In cooler regions full sun brings out the deepest crimson color, while in hot southern climates a spot with morning sun and light afternoon shade protects the leaves from scorching. It is hardy in USDA zones 5 through 8 and makes a striking focal point in front yards, entryways, and patio areas.
  2. Soil Preparation: Choose rich, well-drained soil that stays moist but never waterlogged. Loosen the soil in a wide area around the planting spot and mix in compost to improve structure. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain, since Japanese maple roots suffer in soggy ground.
  3. Planting: Dig a hole two to three times as wide as the root ball and no deeper, so the top of the root ball sits level with or slightly above the surrounding soil. Space trees about 12 to 15 feet apart to match their mature spread, and plant at least 6 to 8 feet from your house or other structures.
  4. Mulching and First Watering: Backfill with native soil, then water slowly and deeply to settle the soil and remove air pockets. Spread a 2 to 3 inch layer of mulch over the root zone, keeping it off the trunk, to hold moisture and keep the roots cool.

Care Instructions

  1. Watering: Water deeply once or twice a week during the first year, and more often in hot, dry spells. The soil should stay evenly moist but never soggy. Once established, give a deep soak during extended dry weather to protect the roots and foliage.
  2. Fertilizing: Japanese maples need little feeding. If growth seems weak, apply a light dose of slow-release fertilizer for trees and shrubs in early spring, following the label rate. Avoid heavy or high-nitrogen feeding, which can push soft growth and dull the red leaf color.
  3. Pest and Disease Monitoring: Check new growth in spring for aphids and look for scale on branches. Scorched, crispy leaf edges in summer usually mean too much hot afternoon sun or dry soil rather than disease. Good drainage helps prevent root problems, so avoid overwatering heavy soils.

Maintenance and Long-Term Care

  1. Pruning: Prune in late winter while the tree is dormant, and keep cuts light. Its naturally upright, balanced shape usually needs only the removal of dead, damaged, or crossing branches. Avoid heavy pruning, which can stress the tree, and skip summer pruning during hot weather when fresh cuts can sunburn exposed bark.
  2. Winter Care: Emperor is known for handling cold better than many red Japanese maples, and it leafs out a little later in spring, which helps it avoid damage from late frosts. Refresh the mulch layer in fall to insulate the roots, and water deeply before the ground freezes if autumn has been dry.
  3. Growing in Containers: A young Emperor Japanese Maple can grow in a large outdoor container on a patio, deck, or entry. Use a wide pot with drainage holes and a quality potting mix, and water whenever the top couple of inches dry out. In zones 5 and 6, move the container to a sheltered spot in winter to protect the roots.

Additional Tips for Growing Emperor Japanese Maple

  1. Season-Long Color: Emperor holds its deep crimson-red foliage well through spring and summer rather than fading to green or bronze, then turns a bright scarlet in fall. Good sunlight helps maintain that rich color, while heavy shade can make the foliage look duller.
  2. Growth and Size: Expect slow to moderate growth, often around a foot of height per year once established, with a mature size of 12 to 15 feet tall and wide. Young trees may grow slowly the first season while roots settle in, so be patient and keep watering consistent.
  3. Design Ideas: Pair Emperor with evergreens, flowering shrubs, and lighter-colored perennials to make its red leaves stand out. It cannot be shipped to Oregon or Arizona because of state agricultural restrictions. A single tree near an entry or patio also makes a strong focal point.
What Customers say about the Emperor Japanese Maple:

The Emperor Japanese Maple thrives in Zones 5-8

Growing Zones for the Emperor Japanese Maple

If you live in the green area above, we recommend the Emperor Japanese Maple.

Your Growing Zone
Recommended Zones 5-8
Mature Height 12-15 ft.
Mature Width 12-15 ft.
Cannot Ship To OR, AZ
Sunlight Full to Partial Sun
Botanical Name Acer palmatum Wolff EMPEROR 1®

Plants that Make a Difference

For 20+ years, our team has shipped healthy, established plants to gardeners like you- all across the country. Every plant is selected and cared for by our plant experts before it ships to your door.

  • 20+ Years Experience

  • Superior Quality

  • Free Shipping on All Orders

  • Guaranteed to Grow

Emperor Japanese Maple

Beware- not all Emperor Japanese Maples are the same.

Be sure to get superior Japanese maples, grown by experts.

Better Roots Make Stronger Plants: Some nurseries send you "bare root" Japanese maples to save on shipping. Even worse, others have started digging them right out of the ground before shipping. This causes major transplant shock and long-term damage. We send you Emperor Japanese Maples in soil-filled containers- ensuring a well-developed root system that will explode with growth!

Healthy Plants: We've seen other nurseries grow tall Japanese maples in tiny pots to save on shipping. This leads to a "root bound" tree, where the roots have outgrown their pot- they cannot absorb water and nutrients. They quickly dry out during shipment, leading to an unhealthy tree.

The Emperor Japanese Maple brings deep crimson color and a graceful upright shape to front yards, patios and smaller landscapes.

  • Deep crimson-red leaves that hold their color through summer, then turn bright scarlet in fall
  • Manageable size: grows 12-15 ft. tall and wide
  • Tougher than many red maples: handles cold and sun better, and is hardy in zones 5-8
  • Leafs out later in spring, which helps it avoid damage from late frosts

Not all plants are created equal

The Difference Is in the Roots

Every plant we ship has grown in a nursery container with its roots protected, so it arrives healthy, established and ready to thrive in your yard.

A full, branched Nationwide Plants tree in a nursery pot next to a thin bare-root tree with exposed roots Ours: container grown Theirs: bare root
Nationwide Plants Other Nurseries
How it's grown Grown in a nursery container, roots protected the whole time Pulled or dug from the field, tearing fragile roots
How it arrives Arrives in its pot with soil intact Arrives bare root, exposed and drying out
Before shipping Growing naturally until it ships Held dormant in a cooler, then shocked by a hot shipping box
Root health Strong, well-developed roots with room to grow Crammed into a small pot until it's root bound
Height Measured from the top of the soil Often includes the pot and roots
After planting Settles in quickly with less transplant shock Arrives stressed and can take years to recover, if it does

The height you see is the height you plant.

We measure every plant from the top of the soil, not the bottom of the pot. Many nurseries include the pot and roots, so a "5–6 ft." tree from them might stand only 4 ft. tall once it's planted.

Comparisons reflect common practices across the online plant industry, not any single company.

Honest Measurements: Some nurseries measure trees including the pot and roots, so their "5-6 ft." tree may only be about half that size when planted. We measure all of our plants from the soil line, so the height you see is what you can expect after planting.

From our nursery to your door

How We Ship Your Plants

Every order is hand-selected, watered and carefully packed so it arrives healthy and ready to plant. Here's what happens after you place your order.

  1. Hand-Picked for You

    Our team selects the best plant available for your order. For privacy trees, that's the tallest and fullest. For fruit trees, it's the best branched.

    Why it matters: Many online nurseries ship whatever is next in the row.

  2. A Deep Drink Before the Trip

    Every plant gets a thorough watering right before it's packed, so it starts the journey fully hydrated.

  3. Roots Sealed In

    We wrap the pot and roots in plastic to lock in moisture, so your plant has water to drink all the way to your door.

    Why it matters: Bare-root plants are often shipped with their roots exposed and drying out.

  4. Braced for the Ride

    Cardboard inserts are secured inside every box to hold your plant in place, so it won't slide, tip or get damaged in transit.

  5. Shipped Only by FedEx

    We ship your trees exclusively with FedEx. We've found they deliver the fastest and handle live plants the most gently.

And if anything goes wrong, every plant is backed by our 1 Year Warranty.

Healthy Roots Make a Huge Difference

  • Never buy bare-root plants. These trees are starved of nutrients, and have a low survival rate.
  • Beware of nurseries cut corners by growing in small pots. These "rootbound" plants are weak, struggle to absorb nutrients, and die quickly after planting.
  • Some nurseries try to sell oversized plants, but chop off vital roots so they can cram the rootball into a narrow box to save on shipping!

You Want Emperor Japanese Maples Grown by Experts

Some nurseries ship thin, weak Japanese maples grown in tiny pots to save money. These "root bound" trees struggle after planting and take longer to fill out.

Nationwide Plants only sends you strong Emperor Japanese Maples, selected and cared for by our plant experts, with healthy, developed root systems. That means your tree settles in quickly and starts showing off its rich crimson color sooner.

Read more about the Emperor Japanese Maple

Emperor Japanese Maple: Deep Crimson Foliage With a Graceful Upright Shape

Add rich color and elegant structure to your landscape with the Emperor Japanese Maple. This beautiful ornamental tree is known for its deep crimson-red foliage, upright growth, and dependable performance through the growing season.

Its manageable size makes it a strong choice for front yards, patios, entryways, and smaller landscape spaces. With bold color and a naturally tidy form, the Emperor Japanese Maple delivers a polished look without needing constant pruning.

Why You'll Love the Emperor Japanese Maple

Rich Crimson Foliage: Deep red leaves bring bold color to the landscape from spring through summer.

Strong Color Retention: The foliage holds its rich tone well through the season.

More Resilient Growth: Emperor is known for handling cold and sun better than many traditional Japanese maple varieties.

Manageable Size: Mature trees typically reach about 12 to 15 feet tall, making them easier to fit into smaller landscapes.

Upright Shape: Its naturally neat form adds structure without needing heavy pruning.

Great as a Focal Point: Use it as a specimen tree where its color and graceful shape can stand out.

Deep Red Foliage Adds Bold Landscape Color

The standout feature of the Emperor Japanese Maple is its rich crimson foliage.

The leaves bring a strong red tone to garden beds, lawns, patios, and entry areas, creating beautiful contrast with green shrubs, evergreens, stone, and lighter-colored plants.

A Japanese Maple With Dependable Performance

Emperor Japanese Maple is valued not only for its beauty, but also for its tougher growing habit.

Compared with many other Japanese maples, it is known for better tolerance of cold and sun, making it a useful choice for gardeners who want elegant color with dependable growth.

How Big Does an Emperor Japanese Maple Grow?

Emperor Japanese Maple typically grows to about 12 to 15 feet tall over time.

Its moderate size makes it easier to use near homes, patios, walkways, and other areas where a much larger shade tree may not fit.

Where to Plant an Emperor Japanese Maple

Front Yards: Use it as an eye-catching focal point with rich seasonal color.

Patio Areas: Plant it where the graceful foliage can be enjoyed up close.

Entryways: Add height, color, and a refined look near walkways and entrances.

Mixed Landscape Beds: Pair it with evergreens, flowering shrubs, and perennials for strong contrast.

Street-Side Plantings: Its upright shape and manageable size can work well in defined landscape spaces.

Emperor Japanese Maple Sun and Soil Needs

Sunlight: Grow Emperor Japanese Maple in full sun to partial shade. In hotter climates, some afternoon shade can help protect the foliage.

Soil: Plant in rich, well-drained soil. Japanese maples do best when the roots stay moist but are not waterlogged.

Watering: Water regularly while the tree is becoming established. During hot or dry weather, deep watering can help protect the roots and foliage.

Naturally Upright With Easy Pruning

Emperor Japanese Maple has a naturally upright, balanced shape that usually needs only light pruning.

If shaping is needed, remove dead, damaged, or crossing branches while keeping the tree's natural form.

Great for Large Containers When Young

Young Emperor Japanese Maples can also be grown in large outdoor containers.

This makes them a beautiful option for patios, decks, courtyards, and entryways where you want bold foliage color in a smaller space.

Elegant Color Without a Huge Footprint

If you want a Japanese maple with deep crimson foliage, upright growth, manageable size, good sun tolerance, and dependable landscape performance, Emperor Japanese Maple is an excellent choice.

Plant an Emperor Japanese Maple and enjoy rich red color, graceful structure, and timeless beauty season after season.

Frequently Asked Questions about the Emperor Japanese Maple

How big does an Emperor Japanese Maple get?

An Emperor Japanese Maple typically grows 12 to 15 feet tall and 12 to 15 feet wide at maturity. That moderate size makes it easy to fit near homes, patios, and walkways where a large shade tree would be too much. It is a good choice for front yards and smaller landscapes that still want a true specimen tree.

What growing zones is the Emperor Japanese Maple hardy in?

The Emperor Japanese Maple is hardy in USDA zones 5 through 8. Emperor is known for handling cold better than many traditional red Japanese maples, and it also leafs out a little later in spring, which helps it avoid damage from late frosts. In zone 8, give it some afternoon shade during hot summers.

Can an Emperor Japanese Maple take full sun?

Yes, the Emperor Japanese Maple grows well in full sun to partial shade and is known for better sun tolerance than many red Japanese maples. In cooler regions full sun brings out the deepest crimson color. In hot southern climates, a spot with morning sun and light afternoon shade helps protect the leaves from scorching.

Does the Emperor Japanese Maple keep its red color all summer?

Yes, the Emperor Japanese Maple is valued for holding its deep crimson-red foliage well through spring and summer rather than fading to green or bronze. Its leaves then turn a bright scarlet in fall before dropping. Good sunlight helps maintain that rich color, while heavy shade can make the foliage look duller.

How fast does an Emperor Japanese Maple grow?

An Emperor Japanese Maple grows at a slow to moderate rate, often adding around a foot of height per year once established in good conditions. Growth depends on sun, soil, and water, and young trees may grow slowly for the first season while roots settle in. Its steady pace keeps it manageable without constant pruning.

How far apart should I plant Emperor Japanese Maples?

Space Emperor Japanese Maples about 12 to 15 feet apart, matching their mature spread, so each tree can develop its full, balanced canopy. Plant at least 6 to 8 feet away from your house or other structures. If you want a more connected look along a drive or border, you can space them slightly closer.

What soil and watering does an Emperor Japanese Maple need?

Plant an Emperor Japanese Maple in rich, well-drained soil that stays moist but never waterlogged. Water deeply once or twice a week during its first year, and more often in hot, dry spells. A 2 to 3 inch layer of mulch over the root zone, kept off the trunk, helps hold moisture and keep roots cool.

When and how should I prune an Emperor Japanese Maple?

Prune an Emperor Japanese Maple in late winter while it is dormant, and keep cuts light. Its naturally upright, balanced shape usually needs only the removal of dead, damaged, or crossing branches. Avoid heavy pruning, which can stress the tree, and skip summer pruning during hot weather when fresh cuts can sunburn exposed bark.

Can I grow an Emperor Japanese Maple in a container?

Yes, a young Emperor Japanese Maple can grow in a large outdoor container on a patio, deck, or entry. Use a wide pot with drainage holes and a quality potting mix, and water whenever the top couple of inches dry out. In zones 5 and 6, protect potted roots in winter by moving the container to a sheltered spot.

Which states can the Emperor Japanese Maple ship to?

The Emperor Japanese Maple can be shipped to most states, but it cannot be shipped to Oregon or Arizona because of state agricultural restrictions. Customers in all other states can order it in several sizes. Check the size options on the product page to choose the starting height that fits your landscape.
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