Choose Sango Kaku Japanese Maple for a visible front-yard or courtyard spot where its coral winter bark can carry the off-season. The tradeoff: it needs some shelter from harsh exposure and is not a privacy plant.
Buy This If
You want winter bark color.
You have a protected planting spot.
You want a refined small tree.
Skip This If
You need privacy screening.
The site dries out fast.
Deer browse is heavy.
PGNE Report Card
Category
Grade
Why
Landscape Impact
A
The coral bark, fine foliage, and fall color make this a strong focal tree in a place where people will actually see it.
Growth Rate
B
It grows at a steady pace, but it will not give fast shade or instant structure.
Maintenance
B-
Plan on watering during dry stretches and doing light, careful pruning rather than hard shaping.
Deer Resistance
C
Young trees like this can be browsed or rubbed by deer, so protect it while it establishes where pressure is heavy.
Small Space Fit
B
It fits many ornamental spaces, but it still needs breathing room and should not be squeezed against walks or walls.
Screening Value
D
Its open branching and ornamental habit are for display, not blocking views.
Our Experience
At PGNE, we'd typically recommend Sango Kaku for a sheltered, high-visibility spot near an entry, patio, or window rather than an exposed lawn edge.
Plant Facts
Mature Height
20 ft
Mature Width
16 ft
Hardiness Zones
4a-8a
Spacing
15 ft
Sun
Full Sun to Part Shade
Moisture
Average to moist
Growth Habit
Upright, vase-shaped
Customers Usually Ask
Does the bark stay red all year?
It is strongest in winter, especially on younger stems.
Can it take full sun?
It can, but afternoon protection is better on hot, dry sites.
Is it good near a house?
Yes, if you give it room and avoid tight corners or reflected heat.
Why buy for fall color
See the actual color before you buy it
Foliage, berries and late bloom — all three seasons of interest
Fall planting means roots established before winter
Our Japanese maples are selected for cold hardiness and structure. We focus on varieties that perform in New England, not just look good in a catalog.
We use your zone to show which plants are hardy where you live.
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Jonathan Berenson
Showed up on time and planted it perfectly. I indicated a light we had to illuminate it and they placed it for optimal lighting. Worked fast and left a clean worksite. First rate!
Installation Service
Anonymous
They delivered three trees: a big linden, a big poplar and a little spice bush with install on the big trees. The install guys were great and professional and fast. All the trees looked good with minimal damage.
Northern Spicebush
Joseph Sico
I went up there today from Quincy MA to pick up two Blue Wichita Junipers and they were absolutely beautiful. Thank you, Chris and everybody from Pro Growers of New England!
Wichita Blue Juniper
Aileen Maconi
The plants are beautiful and all 13 were consistent in height and width. And at a fraction of the cost of other garden centers. Having the team that delivered them do the planting was one of the best values I can think of. They did a great job from start to finish and even helped me with my watering system which they didn’t have to do!
I couldn’t be present when the tree was planted. I was very happy with the tree. It was planted correctly and at the proper height. As an arborist I see trees improperly planted frequently. Thank you!
They're very "leggy" right now but that's not unexpected in the fall. Otherwise, they look healthy, and we're looking forward to seeing them next year.
