Acer Osakazuki is best suited in a position that gets

• Partial shade

Acer Osakazuki is

• Frost Tolerant
• Deciduous
• Cold hardy

Acer Osakazuki will thrive in soil that is

• Free draining
• Clay
• Nutrient rich

Plant Acer 'Osakazuki' in full sun to part shade.

In cooler parts of New Zealand, it can handle a good amount of sunlight. In hotter or more exposed locations, protection from intense afternoon sun will help prevent foliage scorch.

For Canterbury gardens, we'd recommend:

Morning sun or good filtered light
Shelter from hot nor'west winds
Protection from extreme afternoon heat
Consistent summer moisture
Free-draining soil

Good light will also help encourage strong autumn colour.

Water deeply and regularly during the first couple of growing seasons while the root system establishes.

Pay particular attention during the first summer.

Deep watering encourages roots to establish into the surrounding soil rather than remaining concentrated near the surface.

Continue watering during prolonged dry periods.

Japanese Maples don't appreciate being allowed to become excessively dry, particularly when drought is combined with hot winds.

Maintaining consistent soil moisture will help keep the foliage looking its best right through until autumn.

Apply organic mulch around the root zone each year.

Mulching helps:

Retain soil moisture
Keep roots cooler through summer
Reduce weed competition
Improve soil structure
Protect the relatively shallow root system

Keep mulch slightly away from the trunk.

Apply a balanced slow-release fertiliser in spring as new growth begins.

Avoid excessive nitrogen fertiliser, which can encourage lots of soft, vigorous growth.

An annual application of compost around the root zone can also help maintain healthy soil.

Acer 'Osakazuki' requires very little routine pruning.

Allow the tree to develop its naturally elegant branching structure.

Prune selectively to:

Remove dead or damaged branches
Remove crossing or rubbing growth
Improve the framework while young
Remove awkward inward-growing branches
Remove unwanted shoots below the graft

Avoid repeatedly clipping Japanese Maples into shape – their natural branching structure is a big part of why we plant them.

Protecting Against Leaf Scorch

Brown or crispy leaf margins are generally a sign of environmental stress rather than disease.

Common causes include:

Hot, drying winds
Insufficient water
Intense afternoon sun
Very exposed planting positions

In Canterbury, hot nor'west winds can be particularly hard on Japanese Maple foliage.

A sheltered position combined with consistent moisture will make a considerable difference.

Acer 'Osakazuki' is highly frost hardy once established and is an excellent choice for cooler New Zealand gardens.

Once its autumn display is finished, the foliage falls and the tree remains dormant through winter.

Tender new spring growth can occasionally be damaged by a particularly late frost, so some shelter can be useful in severe frost pockets.