Name: The Plant Company
Address: 284 Meeanee Road, Meeanee, Napier, 4112, New Zealand
Telephone: 0800 843 752
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Acer Trees For Sale | Japanese Maples & Decorative Maples for NZ Gardens

Acer, commonly known as maple trees, are prized for their stunning foliage and graceful forms. From the delicate leaves of Japanese maples to the bold colors of larger species, Acers offer year-round interest in New Zealand gardens. These deciduous trees thrive in well-drained soil and prefer positions sheltered from strong winds. With vibrant autumn hues and varied growth habits, Acers make excellent feature trees, hedging options, or container specimens. Explore our diverse range of Acer varieties to find the perfect addition to your landscape.

New Zealand’s best Acer Maple Trees For Sale

Growing Maple trees in your garden delivers a vast range of benefits:

They are visual plants that add impact to a space.
Street appeal is improved through dramatic colour and texture.
They are attractive trees with beautiful foliage.
They provide shade and shelter.
They attract birds and other wildlife.
They can be used to create a sense of privacy in a garden.
Some maple trees produce edible sap, which can be used to make maple syrup and other products.
They can be used to provide shade and screening.
Children can learn the plants and become more involved with nature.
These plants will bring you pleasure for many years to come.

From a small Japanese Maple to a large specimen Maple Trees, we have the right tree for your space. Choose from a wide variety of Japanese Acer trees have been selected to thrive in NZ’s climate. We stock only the highest quality plants, sourcing them from NZ’s leading nurseries. Each plant is packed and transported with extreme care, ensuring it arrives to you in the same condition it was in when it left the nursery. If you are wanting to buy Japanese Acer trees, shop with confidence from the best in the industry.

Japanese Acer Tree Questions

1. What are the different types of maple trees that grow in New Zealand?

There are over 100 different species of maple trees and some of the most common types grown in New Zealand include:

Japanese maple (Acer palmatum): This is a popular choice for ornamental gardens, with its small, delicate leaves and colourful autumn foliage.
Norway maple (Acer platanoides): This is a large and fast-growing tree that is often used in avenue plantings or as a shade tree.
Silver maple (Acer saccharinum): This is another fast-growing tree with distinctive silver leaves.
Sugar maple (Acer saccharum): This is a slow-growing tree that is favoured for its beautiful autumn foliage.

Other popular maple trees that grow in New Zealand include:

Acer negundo (Box elder maple)
Acer pseudosieboldianum (Korean maple)
Acer rubrum (Red maple)
Acer griseum (Paperbark maple)
Acer truncatum (Shantung maple)
Acer buergerianum (Trident maple)

2. How do I grow maple trees?

Growing Maple trees requires a few key elements:

Choose a sunny spot with well-drained soil.
Dig a hole that is twice as wide as the root ball of the tree and add compost to the soil.
Place the tree in the hole and backfill with soil, firming it in gently to remove any air pockets.
Water the tree well and continue to do this during dry periods.
Mulch around the tree with bark chips or compost to help retain moisture and suppress weeds.

3. How do I care for maple trees in New Zealand?

Maple trees are relatively low-maintenance, but there are a few things you can do to keep them healthy and looking their best:

Water the trees regularly, especially during summer.
Fertilise the trees in spring with a balanced fertiliser applied across the soil surface to the widest edge of the tree.
Prune the trees in winter to remove any dead or diseased branches and to shape and contain the tree.

4. What are the most popular Acer trees in NZ?

The 10 most popular Acer trees in New Zealand, based on sales and popularity, are:

Japanese Maple (Acer palmatum)
Norway Maple (Acer platanoides)
Silver Maple (Acer saccharinum)
Sugar Maple (Acer saccharum)
Box Elder Maple (Acer negundo)
Korean Maple (Acer pseudosieboldianum)
Red Maple (Acer rubrum)
Paperbark Maple (Acer griseum)
Shantung Maple (Acer truncatum)
Trident Maple (Acer buergerianum)

These trees are all popular for different reasons, but they all share some common characteristics. They are all beautiful trees with attractive foliage, and they provide shade and shelter. They are also relatively easy to care for and can be grown in a variety of climates.

5. Where is the best place to put an Acer tree?

The best place to put an Acer tree depends on the variety, your climate, the space it has to grow, and your soil conditions. Nonetheless, some general tips include:

Choose a sunny or partially shaded spot. Most Acers prefer full sun, but some varieties, such as the Japanese Maple, can tolerate partial shade.
Avoid windy positions. The trees have delicate leaves and branches that can be easily damaged by strong winds.
Plant your tree in well-drained soil. They do not like to sit in water, so it is important to plant them in a soil that drains well.
Consider the size of the tree at maturity. Some Acers, such as the Norway maple, can grow quite large. Ensure you choose a spot where the tree will have plenty of room to grow or come up with a plan on how you will contain it with trimming.

Here are some specific tips for placing different types of Acers:

Japanese maples prefer a sheltered spot in partial shade. They should be planted in moist, well-drained soil.
Norway maples are tolerant of a wide range of soil conditions and can be grown in full sun or partial shade. They are relatively fast-growing trees and can reach heights of up to 30 metres.
Silver maples prefer moist, well-drained soil in a sunny spot. They are also relatively fast-growing trees and can reach heights of up to 25 metres.
Sugar maples prefer moist, well-drained soil in a sunny spot. They are relatively slow-growing trees and can reach heights of up to 30 metres.

If you are unsure where to plant your Acer tree, it is a good idea to consult with The Plant Company so we can help you choose a tree that is right for what you are wanting to achieve.

6. What is the best Acer tree for a small garden?

The best Acer for a small garden in New Zealand depends on your personal preferences and the conditions in your garden. However, some good options include:

Japanese maple (Acer palmatum): Japanese maples are known for their beautiful foliage, which can turn a variety of colors in autumn. They are also relatively low-maintenance and can be grown in a variety of climates. However, some varieties of Japanese maple can be quite large, so it is important to choose a dwarf or compact variety for a small garden.
Korean maple (Acer pseudosieboldianum): Korean maples are similar to Japanese maples, but they are more tolerant of cold weather and poor soil conditions. They are also available in a variety of sizes and shapes, making them a good choice for small gardens.
Red maple (Acer rubrum): Red maples are known for their attractive red leaves in the spring and autumn. They are also relatively fast-growing trees, but they can be pruned to maintain their size.
Paperbark maple (Acer griseum): Paperbark maples have peeling bark that gives them a unique appearance. They are also relatively slow-growing trees, making them a good choice for small gardens.
Trident maple (Acer buergerianum): Trident maples are slow-growing trees that can be trained into bonsai. They are also relatively tolerant of shade, making them a good choice for small gardens with limited sunlight.

7. Which Acer grows fastest?

The Norway maple (Acer platanoides) is the fastest-growing maple tree. It can grow up to 1 metre per year and can reach heights of up to 30 metres. Norway maples are tolerant of a wide range of soil conditions and can be grown in full sun or partial shade.

Other fast-growing maple trees include:

Silver maple (Acer saccharinum)
Red maple (Acer rubrum)
Box elder maple (Acer negundo)

When choosing a fast-growing maple tree, it is important to consider the size of the tree at maturity and the conditions in your garden. Norway maples, for example, can grow quite large, so they are not suitable for small gardens.

8. Which is the prettiest japanese maple?

The prettiest Japanese maple in New Zealand is a matter of personal preference, but some of the most popular and visually appealing varieties include:

Acer palmatum 'Dissectum' (Laceleaf Japanese maple): This variety has delicate, fern-like leaves that turn a beautiful golden yellow in autumn.
Acer palmatum 'Bloodgood' (Bloodgood Japanese maple): This variety has deep red leaves that provide stunning visual interest throughout the year.
Acer palmatum 'Sango-kaku' (Coral bark Japanese maple): This variety has bright coral-red bark that contrasts beautifully with its green foliage.
Acer palmatum 'Osakazuki' (Osaka Japanese maple): This variety has large, palmate leaves that turn a brilliant red in autumn.
Acer palmatum 'Shishigashira' (Lion's head Japanese maple): This variety has distinctive, deeply lobed leaves that turn a golden yellow in autumn.

These are just a few examples of the many beautiful Japanese maple varieties that are available in New Zealand. When choosing a tree, it is important to consider the size of the tree at maturity, the type of soil you have, and the amount of sunlight the tree will receive. If in doubt, contact The Plant Company for advice.

9. What is the best month to plant maple trees?

In general, Maples are best planted anytime between autumn and spring. This planting is ideal so the trees can establish their roots before the heat of summer. If you live in an extremely cold climate, delay planting until spring.

10. How fast will a Japanese maple grow?

Japanese maples are slow-growing trees, typically reaching heights of 6-10 metres (20-33 feet) over 50 years. Their growth rate can vary depending on the variety of the tree, the growing conditions, and the care it receives. In general, Japanese Maples will grow 25-60 cm per year in ideal conditions.

Some varieties of Japanese maples are naturally taller growing than others. For example, the 'Seiryu' maple is a dwarf variety that typically grows to just 1-1.3 m tall, while Acer palmatum can grow to 7 m tall.

Japanese Maples prefer to be planted in a well-drained, acidic soil that is rich in organic matter. They also need to be in full sun or partial shade position. After planting they should be watered regularly and fertilised in spring.

11. Can Japanese Maple take full sun?

While Japanese maples are generally considered shade-tolerant trees, they can thrive in full sun with proper care. The key is to choose a variety that is suited to full sun and to provide the tree with adequate water and mulch. In general, Japanese maples with green leaves are those that will do better in full sun, whereas the red-leafed varieties are more likely to burn in direct sunlight. In New Zealand’s climate, leaf scorching is rarely an issue.

Contact us

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.

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