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golden acer tree

The golden acer tree is a show-stopping addition to any New Zealand garden, treasured for its brilliant foliage that brings year-round colour and vibrancy. With their signature golden or yellow leaves, these maple trees are perfect for both home gardeners and landscape designers seeking to add a striking accent or to brighten up shaded areas. Whether you’re after a bold feature specimen, a shade-providing avenue, or a showy container plant, a golden acer tree offers incredible versatility and elegance.

Acer 'Shidava Gold' small tree with lush, green and yellow foliage.

Acer 'Shidava Gold'

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Acer 'Shidava Gold' is a bright and elegant Japanese maple valued for its golden yellow foliage that brings light and contrast to garden spaces. This deciduous tree performs well in New Zealand conditions and is ideal for feature planting in small to medium landscapes. Its fresh spring growth holds colour through summer before softening in autumn, making Acer 'Shidava Gold' a refined choice for ornamental gardens.

Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Trees
Height: 2.50 m
Spread: 1.50 m
Tolerances: Hardy
Garden uses: Containers, Living areas, Parks, Specimen
Garden styles: Alpine, Architectural, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Frontyard, Japanese, Modern
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Acer platanoides Princeton Gold (Princeton Gold Maple Tree)

Acer platanoides Princeton Gold is a variety of the commonly known, Plane-Leaved Maple, and is a medium sized tree with fantastic foliage. The leaves emerge bright yellow in spring, age to become a less intense yellow during summer, then develop brilliant shades of yellow in autumn before falling. It grows with an upright, spreading habit to eventually reach 10 m tall and 7 m wide. Acer Princeton Gold makes for a magnificent specimen and is ideal for parks and large gardens where is provides wonderful shade and colour.

Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Trees
Height: 10.00 m
Spread: 7.00 m
Flowering time: Summer
Tolerances: Hardy
Garden uses: Parks, Ponds, Specimen
Garden styles: Alpine, Backyard, Frontyard, Japanese
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Acer palmatum Ukon

Acer palmatum 'Ukon' is a distinctive Japanese Maple admired for its unusual lime green foliage that brings fresh colour to the garden. New leaves...

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Acer palmatum Fjellheim (Fjellheim Japanese Maple)

Acer palmatum Fjellheim is an impressive Japanese Maple featuring a rich display of delicate foliage held on colourful stems. Leaves on this small...

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Acer 'Emerald Lace'

Acer 'Emerald Lace' is a graceful laceleaf Japanese Maple admired for its finely divided soft green foliage and elegant cascading form. The delicate...

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An Acer buergerianum specimen tree.
Acer buergerianum

Acer buergerianum, commonly known as the Trident Maple, is a striking deciduous tree admired for its distinctive three-lobed leaves and brilliant...

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Acer platanoides Globosum (Acer Globosum)

Acer platanoides Globosum is a deciduous tree grown for its lush foliage and stunning form. It produces a symmetrical and rounded head of mid-green...

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An Acer 'Katsura' specimen tree with orange and green foliage.
Acer 'Katsura'

Acer 'Katsura' is a stunning Japanese maple known for its brilliant apricot orange spring foliage that matures to fresh green before turning vibrant...

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Acer palmatum 'Seiryu'

Acer palmatum 'Seiryu' is a unique Japanese Maple admired for its finely dissected foliage and upright growth habit. Unlike many laceleaf maples...

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Acer shirasawanum 'Autumn Moon' tree in a garden.
Acer shirasawanum 'Autumn Moon'

Acer shirasawanum 'Autumn Moon' is a standout Japanese maple admired for its glowing apricot and orange toned foliage that brings warmth and vibrancy...

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Acer palmatum Senkaki (Acer Senkaki)

Acer palmatum Senkaki is a stunning Japanese Maple or Coral Bark Maple due to its striking and delicate foliage. Small, soft looking leaves emerge...

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Acer Brandywine (Brandywine Maple)

Acer rubrum Brandywine is an outstanding deciduous tree grown for its lovely form and striking autumn colours. It features lush, mid-green foliage...

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Acer palmatum Atropurpureum elegant specimen tree.
Acer palmatum Atropurpureum

Acer palmatum Atropurpureum is one of the most popular Japanese maples, prized for its deep purple red foliage and elegant branching habit. This...

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Acer 'Autumn Glory'

Acer 'Autumn Glory' is a magnificent deciduous maple renowned for its exceptional autumn colour and attractive rounded canopy. The lush green foliage...

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Acer palmatum Hanami Nishiki tree with lush green foliage.
Acer palmatum Hanami Nishiki (Acer Hanami Nishiki)

Acer palmatum Hanami Nishiki is a stunning Japanese Maple due to its delicate foliage and small stature. Small and soft looking leaves emerge...

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An Acer saccharum (Sugar Maple) specimen tree in autumn with orange foliage.
Acer saccharum (Sugar Maple)

Acer saccharum, commonly known as the Sugar Maple, is a large, deciduous tree grown for its bright autumn foliage and fabled maple syrup. The leaves...

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Acer palmatum dissectum 'Stella Rossa' tree with fine, dark purple foliage.
Acer 'Stella Rossa'

Acer 'Stella Rossa' is a striking Japanese Maple valued for its finely dissected deep red foliage and elegant cascading growth habit. The rich...

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Acer palmatum dissectum 'Tamukeyama'

Acer palmatum dissectum 'Tamukeyama' is one of the most admired Japanese Maples, prized for its finely dissected deep red foliage and graceful...

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Acer palmatum 'Shirazz'

Acer palmatum 'Shirazz' is a stunning variegated Japanese Maple admired for its rich purple red foliage edged with soft pink. The colourful leaves...

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Acer saccharinum (Silver Maple) specimen tree in autumn with orange and yellow foliage.
Acer saccharinum

Acer saccharinum, commonly known as the Silver Maple, is a deciduous tree that is grown for its tidy form and colourful autumn foliage. The lush and...

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Acer negundo 'Violaceum'

Acer negundo 'Violaceum' is an attractive deciduous maple valued for its distinctive purple tinted young growth and fresh green foliage. The new...

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Acer platanoides

Acer platanoides (Norway Maple) is a large deciduous tree prized for its broad canopy, dense shade, and attractive seasonal colour. The lush green...

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Acer palmatum 'Crimson Queen' specimen tree with purple-red cascading foliage.
Acer palmatum 'Crimson Queen'

Acer palmatum 'Crimson Queen' is a highly admired weeping Japanese maple known for its finely dissected burgundy foliage that retains rich colour...

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Acer platanoides Nigrum

Acer platanoides 'Nigrum' is a striking deciduous tree valued for its large deep purple foliage and impressive shade creating canopy. The richly...

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Acer 'Shaina' small and round trees with elegant, dark red-purple foliage.
Acer palmatum 'Shaina'

Acer palmatum 'Shaina' is a compact Japanese maple prized for its intense crimson red foliage and naturally tidy upright habit. This deciduous tree...

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Acer palmatum 'Bloodgood' specimen tree with colourful dark red foliage.
Acer palmatum 'Bloodgood'

Acer palmatum 'Bloodgood' (Bloodgood Japanese Maple) is one of the most reliable and popular Japanese maples, valued for its deep red foliage and...

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Acer 'Armstrong' bright red foliage.
Acer 'Armstrong'

Acer 'Armstrong' is a distinctive Maple grown for its narrow, upright growth habit and fabulous autumn colours. This fast-growing tree produces a...

From$299.95
Acer palmatum 'Crimson Princess' tree with fine green foliage tinged with purple.
Acer 'Crimson Princess'

Acer palmatum 'Crimson Princess' is a stunning Japanese maple known for its deeply cut, cascading burgundy foliage that intensifies through the...

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Acer palmatum 'Osakazuki'

Acer palmatum 'Osakazuki' is a highly regarded Japanese maple famous for producing some of the most intense scarlet red autumn colour of any maple...

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Acer 'Orangeola'

Acer 'Orangeola' is a stunning weeping Japanese Maple admired for its finely cut foliage that emerges bright orange red in spring. The leaves mature...

From$349.95
Acer griseum specimen tree in a park.
Acer griseum

Acer griseum (Paperbark Maple) is a highly sought after deciduous tree prized for its beautiful peeling cinnamon coloured bark and outstanding autumn...

From$249.95
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Acer 'Shindeshojo'

Acer 'Shindeshojo' is a spectacular Japanese Maple celebrated for its brilliant bright red foliage in early spring. The vivid colour gradually...

From$349.95
Acer 'Shidava Gold'

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What Makes the Golden Acer Tree So Special?

Golden acer trees stand out for their vivid yellow to gold foliage, which often retains its colour throughout the growing season. Their elegant, palmate or deeply lobed leaves provide textural interest, while their graceful branching creates a soft silhouette. Many golden acer varieties show subtle shifts in colour with the seasons, turning warmer in autumn and refreshing gardens in spring and summer. Their moderate growth rate and manageable size make them suitable for both small gardens and larger landscapes across Aotearoa.

Popular Varieties of Golden Acer Tree

If you’re searching for your ideal golden acer tree, you’ll find several outstanding options at our nursery:

Growing and Caring for Your Golden Acer Tree

Golden acer trees are surprisingly easy to care for. Choose a well-drained position with access to morning sun and afternoon shade to maintain the best leaf colour and prevent scorch. While some varieties prefer a sheltered spot, most tolerate New Zealand’s variable climate when provided with adequate moisture and protection from harsh winds. Add mulch around the root zone to retain soil moisture and feed with a balanced slow-release fertiliser in spring. Prune lightly in late winter to maintain a tidy shape and encourage healthy new growth.

Perfect Uses for Golden Acer Trees in Your Garden

The golden acer tree’s radiant foliage isn’t just eye-catching – it’s incredibly practical, too. Use as a specimen tree to light up patios, lawns, or woodland gardens. Plant in mixed borders for striking contrast against purple-leaved shrubs or deep evergreens. Smaller varieties are exceptional in pots or as a seasonal highlight in courtyards, making them a smart choice for urban gardeners.

Explore our collection of golden acer trees, including Acer platanoides Princeton Gold (Princeton Gold Maple Tree), Acer negundo 'Kelly's Gold', Acer 'Shidava Gold', Acer palmatum Ukon, and Acer palmatum Fjellheim (Fjellheim Japanese Maple), and find the perfect golden statement for your landscape. With their enduring elegance and cheerful foliage, golden acer trees are sure to transform your outdoor space.


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Whether you need assistance finding the plant you’re looking for or you simply want to know more about who we are and what we do, we invite you to get in touch with us today. A member of The Plant Company team will get back in touch as soon as possible.

–The Plant Company

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