Acer palmatum ‘Sango kaku’

Description:

Acer palmatum ‘Sango kaku’ is the famous Coral Bark Maple, ‘Sango Kaku’ has bright salmon coral colored bark in winter. The foliage is lime green in spring darkening as summer temperatures warm and usually yellow or yellow mixed with orange in fall. It is very important to site this tree properly, the more sun in winter the better the bark color. In hotter climates if you can give it some afternoon shade in summer the foliage will remain pretty all summer long. The name ‘Sango kaku’ means Coral Tower referring to the bark color and upward growth habit.

10 Year Size:

Height: 15-18 Feet   Width: 8-10 Feet

Acer palmatum ‘Sango kaku’ will develop into a tall tree at maturity reaching fifteen to eighteen feet tall in ten years. ‘Sango kaku’ is a fast grower and should develop into a decent sized tree in short order.

The width of Sango kaku will naturally expand to about eight or ten feet wide in ten years without any intervention. Sango kaku is typically a narrow growing coral bark Japanese maple.

COLORS:

Acer palmatum ‘Sango kaku’ emerges in the spring with very light green leaves that really pop against the remanence of red stems from winter. These leaves mature to a darker yet still light green color in the summer. When planted in full sun, Sango kaku will maintain a slight yellowish hue throughout the summer. Fall color is then a bright golden yellow that is quite striking and can be a real show stopper. Like other coral bark Japanese maples, one of the major characteristics of Sango kaku is the red branches that this Japanese maple tree develops in the winter.

STRUCTURE:

Acer palmatum ‘Sango kaku’ develops into a tall, vase shaped tree with age. Sango kaku has an attractive structure that will not overpower the landscape despite its height. Acer palmatum ‘Sango kaku’ is a fantastic alternative to other large growing Japanese maples such as Bloodgood and Red Emperor.

HISTORY:

Acer palmatum ‘Sango kaku’ is an old cultivar dating back to the 1800s, though its exact origin is unknown. ‘Sango kaku’ means coral tower. Sango kaku used to be known as ‘Senkaki’ and is synonomous with ‘Ebi-no-hige’. Sango kaku has also been known as ‘Cinnabarinum or Cinnabar wood maple. It has also been mistakenly referred to as ‘Corallinum’ which is a completely different variety. Sango kaku is probably most frequently referred to as the coral bark Japanese maple. No matter what you call it, Sango kaku is a must have for a complete, four seasons landscape. Acer palmatum ‘Sango kaku’ is such a fantastic coral bark Japanese maple that it was awarded the Royal Horticultural Society Award of Garden Merit in 1993.

HARDINESS:

USDA Plant Hardiness Zones: 5-9

AHS Heat Zone: 5-10

Sunset Climate Zone: 3-10, 12, 14-24, 28-37

Coral Bark Japanese maples such as Acer palmatum ‘Sango kaku’ are hardy in most regions of the United States. The only areas where they will not work are areas of extreme cold or extreme hot temperatures. Coral Bark Japanese maples are a little more susceptible to cold climates than other varieties of Japanese maples. Areas of extremely high altitudes may also not work particularly well for Japanese maples. Japanese maples will also thrive better in areas of consistent rainfall. These zones are general rules, but exceptions do apply. Do your own research on your particular area before purchasing a Japanese maple, but Japanese maples are generally a very hardy tree.

SUN TOLERANCE:

The majority of Japanese maples are going to prefer some variation of morning sun and afternoon shade. While this is great in a perfect world, it is not realistic for every Japanese maple. Many Japanese maples can handle much more sun, such as Acer palmatum ‘Sango kaku’. Sango kaku can handle up to all day sun with little issues.

PLANTING:

Planting A Japanese Maple In The Ground:

All Japanese maples should be planted slightly elevated on a mound. This can be done by leaving a small portion of the rootball above ground level when planting. Dirt is then brought up to the sides covering up the majority of the roots. The end result is an elevated mound up to the base of the tree. The root flare where the trunk ends and the roots begin should be visible above ground level when planting is finished. A light layer of pine straw or pine bark mulch around the tree is all the mulch that is needed for a Japanese maple. Don’t pile too much mulch up against the trunk of the tree.

Planting A Japanese Maple In A Container:

Coral Bark Japanese maples like ‘Sango kaku’ work great as container plants. When planting a Japanese maple in a container, we typically recommend a 50/50 mix of soil conditioner and potting soil. This will provide a good growing medium for your tree while also allowing for proper drainage. You still want to plant your Japanese maple slightly elevated in the container with the root flare above the dirt level.

SOIL REQUIREMENTS:

Coral Bark Japanese maples like Acer palmatum ‘Sango kaku’ prefer slightly acidic soils, but they are very adaptable to nearly any soil. We rarely recommend any soil amendments when planting a new Japanese maple other than possibly some soil conditioner or top soil to fill in here and there. The main thing to consider with soil is the drainage. Japanese maples love well draining soil. They like to get wet, but they don’t like to stay wet. This is another reason that we recommend planting Japanese maples elevated on a mound, so that the water can drain out from the roots of the Japanese maple tree.

WATERING:

Japanese maples like moist well draining conditions. They like good soakings, but then that water needs a chance to drain away. Japanese maples do not like wet feet. When you first plant your Sango kaku, you should water no more than once or twice per week depending on the time of the year. Your Sango kaku Japanese maple may need more water when planted in the summer versus if it is planted in the fall or winter. After a couple of months you can back off on the watering a little bit as the tree is getting established. There is no need to water your Sango kaku while it is dormant unless there is no rain for several weeks. Your Sango kaku should be able to live off of nothing but rain water after the first year in the ground. You can give it a drink again if there hasn’t been any rain for a couple weeks or so. Important: most people have more issues overwatering their Japanese maple than under watering it. Don’t kill your Japanese maple tree with kindness.

SPECIAL CARE:

There is very little special care required with Coral Bark Japanese maples, including Acer palmatum ‘Sango kaku’. You want to fertilize your Japanese maple in the spring with an organic Japanese maple fertilizer such as Happy Frog. This will ensure that your Sango kaku Japanese maple is receiving all the nutrients it needs to flourish in your yard.

PRUNING:

You can prune your Sango kaku Japanese maple in the winter when the tree is dormant. This is the best time to prune a Japanese maple because the energy of the tree is not flowing as actively as it may in the spring or summer. Sango kaku and other coral bark Japanese maples take very well to pruning and can become elegant trees over time with proper care. There are many different ways to prune a Japanese maple. As long as you only prune in the winter and never take more than a third of the tree off at any given time, then it is hard to go wrong. Pruning is all about your personal preferences and making your tree look good for you.