Japanese acer?

Hi

I have this red tree that is about 6' tall, people have suggested it is a Japanese dwarf maple but after researching this a bit more I think it is a Japanese Acer. Can anyone confirm please.

 

Japanese Acers ... common name maples ... there are over a 1,000's of named cultivars!
Unless you buy a named grafted tree it is very hard to be certain what it will be like..some are weeping, others will always be small and slow growing...other are quicker to grow.

Yours would appear to be Acer palmatum atropurpureum...ie a maple with palmate shaped, red leaves.

The leaf shape is wrong for it to be Acer japonicum ..commonly called downy Japanese maple or full moon maple....or one of its named cultivars.

Your tree will never get as huge as the red leafed Norway maple...Acer platanoides Crimson King...but neither is it a dwarf maple.

https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=Acer+platanoides+%60Crimson+King&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=r-CbVcnDLcTS-QGpta3QCA&ved=0CAcQ_AUoAQ&biw=1536&bih=728

Hope this helps.

 

I think i commented on your photo in the Gallery @slugmuncher? That or this photo is Deja Vu to me ha ha

 

Hi Prkns

It is the same tree :D Thank you very much I have now put a lollipop stick as per your ID

Hi SilverSurfer

Yes this helps thank you. I really didnt expect gardening to be so complicated, so so much to learn

 

Yes, tis a Japanese maple (probably that known commonly as 'Acer palmatum atropurpureum'
It would be a good idea to remove lower branches each year as the tree develops. They can be a stunning colour in autumn as you will see here:
http://www.fujiyamagarden.com/page17a5.html

 

Hi whis4ey

Yes the colours are fantastic, best viewed with light drizzle when the colours look really rich.
Im not sure about pruning yet as do not want to kill anything. i will look into this though thank you.