Acer palmatum 'Murakumo'

Discussion in 'Acer palmatum cultivars (photos)' started by amazingmaples, Jun 10, 2010.

  1. amazingmaples

    amazingmaples Well-Known Member 10 Years

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    this is a really cool white leaf tree. I found it did not do well in sun so I have it in dark corners
     

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    Last edited: Jun 10, 2010
  2. maf

    maf Generous Contributor Maple Society 10 Years

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    Charlie, I think this one may actually be 'Marakumo'. According to some maple books 'Murakumo' is the deeply divided purple-leaf one, and 'Marakumo' is the variegated "white leaf" one. I don't grow either myself, so hesitate to know definitively. Can you double check your labels or tags that came on the tree?

    Cheers.
     
  3. amazingmaples

    amazingmaples Well-Known Member 10 Years

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  4. maf

    maf Generous Contributor Maple Society 10 Years

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    Well, I don't want to get out of my depth here, but Vertrees/Gregory 4th and 2nd edition have both described under the names I mentioned above. "Book for Maples" (Yano) and "Maples for Gardens" (van Gelderen(s)) describe the purple form as 'Murakumo'.

    Perhaps other forum members have more direct knowledge?
     
  5. amazingmaples

    amazingmaples Well-Known Member 10 Years

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    as we all know, "I know nothing". I let all you guys figure out the details.
     
  6. maf

    maf Generous Contributor Maple Society 10 Years

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    I know "nothing" too, which is why I am asking the questions.
     
  7. amazingmaples

    amazingmaples Well-Known Member 10 Years

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  8. maf

    maf Generous Contributor Maple Society 10 Years

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    Agreed. It seems the van Gelderens have changed their opinion in the years since the book was published. With such small differences in spelling, in what is a translated name in the first place, it is difficult to be sure what is what.
     
  9. amazingmaples

    amazingmaples Well-Known Member 10 Years

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    However it is spelled, it is a great little white tree for shady places. Not as white as Ukigumo but it has a nice palmatum leaf shape, not quite as retarded looking as other white leaf trees.
     
  10. katsura

    katsura Active Member 10 Years

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    Charlie,
    Like maf I always thought the white leaf form was 'Marakumo' but whatver name it goes by,
    I agree completely with you that this is one of the loveliest and most delicate 'fu' spreckled
    whites there is, period. I love my tree but I did not know until you mentioned it that it does
    better in shade because i have mine in full morning sun and it is hit or miss with great 'fu'.
    Last year mine was ablaze; this year ho-hum so I intend to relocate it in its pot to a more shady
    location. Thanks for the tip.
    By the way, I really appreciate all the pictures and work you do on this forum - thanks so much.
    Mike aka 'katsura'
     
  11. amazingmaples

    amazingmaples Well-Known Member 10 Years

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    I have it in full shade and it looses some of the freckles but it turns it more white with nice pink stems. I can not say it is a tree people desire as much as the Ukigumo but for me it has a more refined look. When I first got the tre last year I put it in the sun and burnt the leaves off the top so I moved it to the shade and it has done well but it is a bit more white looking.

    As for names, I am just a middle man in the game. I try and find the trees which are correct in both growth habits and names. My information comes from converations with growers and my observation of the trees in my yard. I have not read much in any of Vertrees books.
    Yes, shame on me but I garden blindly.
    .
     
  12. Gomero

    Gomero Well-Known Member Maple Society 10 Years

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    I bought mine from Esveld 4 years ago and at that time it was called 'Marakumo'.....

    I fully agree with Amazingmaples and Katsura on siting, it burns badly in the sun. It is now planted in heavy shade and does beautifully. The pics are form this spring (mid-April).

    Gomero
     

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  13. amazingmaples

    amazingmaples Well-Known Member 10 Years

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    Last edited: Jun 13, 2010
  14. amazingmaples

    amazingmaples Well-Known Member 10 Years

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    I still find this to be one of the nicest colored trees. It works great in dark spots.
     

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  15. amazingmaples

    amazingmaples Well-Known Member 10 Years

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    In shade, this tree is one of my favorites.
     

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  16. Francis

    Francis Active Member

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    Im a bit confused here regarding the spelling of this maple.
    So...it is possible that In the Vertrees and Gregory Book 4th edition the Murakumo and Marakumo definition are exchanged??
     
  17. maf

    maf Generous Contributor Maple Society 10 Years

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    I suspect the book has the names correct, and there has been a subsequent change made by nurserymen, possibly accidental. However, I have no way of knowing for sure, and if anyone has any furter information it would be greatly appreciated.

    Here are links to two Japanese websites which both describe 'Murakumo' as the purple form:

    http://ganshuku.sakura.ne.jp/23_3murakumo0980.html

    http://www.e-momiji.com/~e-momiji/murakumo/murakumo.htm

    And a link to Maillot Bonsai in France:

    http://www.maillot-erable.com/en/acer_murakumo-705.php
     
  18. amazingmaples

    amazingmaples Well-Known Member 10 Years

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    it is funny how there is something lost in translation. I found this Murakumo (叢雲, ”Massed Clouds”?) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Murakumo

    From this definition understand the trees name because the tree I have does have the white coloring of clouds. From the other people's post the tree is a purple which is a little different color than clouds. I also noticed that in wikipedia's definition the japanese caticatures are different than the other links. (I do not read japanese so I can not translate). I will be honest, I am completely confused with this tree.
     
    Last edited: Sep 2, 2011
  19. rwinktown

    rwinktown Active Member

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    i need to find one of these no matter how there spelled haha! where did you get yours amazing?
     
  20. Francis

    Francis Active Member

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    Some pics of Murakumo, nothing special this season in my view.
    i also noticed that yours have more elongated leaves... I will have to wait till next year.

    SDC10743.JPG
     
    Last edited: Nov 1, 2011
  21. amazingmaples

    amazingmaples Well-Known Member 10 Years

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    Here are fall colors 2011
     

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  22. amazingmaples

    amazingmaples Well-Known Member 10 Years

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    I sure like the colors of this tree. Spring color is one of my favorites. It is a wonderful whitish yellow pink. I can take a million photos of this tree and never get tired of the colors.
     

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    Last edited: Apr 13, 2012
  23. rwinktown

    rwinktown Active Member

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    I want one!
     
  24. Francis

    Francis Active Member

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    My Murakumo didnt make it.
    All the bark started to turn grey with a "dried up look", it died in dezember. :((
     
  25. maplesandpaws

    maplesandpaws Active Member

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    I do love this tree, and I was SO happy to find such a nice, big one (once again, Topiary Gardens is the place to go!) - I don't know why this is such a difficult cultivar to find, it is just lovely, IMHO. I hope I have it sited properly so that I get the lovely white coloring like yours Charlie!
     

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