Species of Japan - Japanese Maple (Acer Palmatum)

The Japanese maple (Acer palmatum), which is grown as either a deciduous shrub or small tree and most often grows to 6 to 10 meters (20 to 33 ft) in height, on rare occasions, reaches 16 meters (52 ft).  During my annual Hokkaido birding Tour, Hokkaido songbirds can be found singing away in these majestic trees with their spell-bounding zen calming song, and even some birds nest in these Maple trees.   International and Hokkaido birding photographers flock to photograph these birds; most often, the canopy of the Japanese maple grows into a dome-like shape, especially when the tree has reached full maturity.  From my experience scouting and hosting Autumn leaves photo tours, there are huge variations among the hundreds of cultivars of Japanese maple trees.  Factors such as leaf size, shape, and color can all wildly vary, and I have seen both the weeping variety, similar to the shidarezakura or weeping cherry blossom, as well as the upright cultivars on my Cross-country Japan photo workshops.  The Japanese maple tree has been cultivated locally for centuries in the more temperate regions of Japan since the 1800s, and the first specimen was exported to Britain in 1820.  Maples are commonly used to create bonsais and have also been depicted in art both in Japan and abroad.  Most commonly, the Japanese maple prefers partial shade when growing, but at higher altitudes can tolerate full sun.  Beyond the main species, there are three recognized sure species: Acer palmatum subsp.  palmatum, which is most commonly cultivated in central to south Japan; Acer palmatum subsp, amoenum, which is grown at higher altitudes in Japan and South Korea; and finally, Acer palmatum subsp.  Matsumurae, which is the prevailing subspecies at higher altitudes in Japan.  I felt Mt. Fuji, Japan's most sacred mountain, was the perfect spot to show a variety of Japanese maples; I took the image during my annual Autumn leaves Mt. Fuji tour.