Acer palmatum 'Tsuma beni'

Below are some web optimized (graphics program,
pixel reduced) photos of 'Tsuma beni'. I am not
happy about this Brad as I lost the high gloss on
these photos. Then again, I do not know how to
take a good photo anyway.

This is the form of 'Tsuma beni' that was affectionately
called "Clown Face" among some circles in Japan.

This form came into the US from Koichiro Wada in
Japan back in the mid to late 60's. A second form
of this Maple was imported into the US in 1972 that
came from Jiro Kobayashi in Japan. It is the latter
form that we sold at the nursery both wholesale and
retail. This form was never available for sale by
Henderson Experimental Gardens. To my knowledge
this Maple was only sold or given to one US nursery
and it was a nursery in Pennsylvania back in the mid
70's. The photo in the Vertrees 2nd edition Japanese
Maples book on page 66 is of the Kobayashi sent form
of this Maple.

The ts03b.jpg and ts04b.jpg photos were taken almost
3 weeks after the first two photos were captured.

 

Below is a quick photo of the Fall color we can
get here. Herein is another way to separate the
Wada and the Kobayashi forms of this Maple
as the Wada form turns a more pronounced,
even shade of a rich rose-pink in the Fall. This
Maple is one of the few dependable Fall color
producers for us here in the San Joaquin Valley.

The other plant shown is from a cutting I made
from the misses Chaenomeles 'Kinjishi' that
came from the Koto Matsubara collection.

 

I'm curious as to how close the leaf shape of the other form you spoke of is to that of the form pictured. I guess I'm really asking how close the unpictured form is to that of 'tsuma gaki'. The difference between 'tsuma gaki' and the form shown is clear to me, but would the other form be more difficult to distinguish?

By the way, you folks on this forum seem very knowledgeable, and I appreciate all of the information provided. As a young collector, I've found that reliable information is difficult to find.

 

Matt, Believe this is the other form of 'Tsuma beni' .

 

That looks like tsuma gaki to me...but I'm no expert.

 

Just an enthusiast here, no expert, and ready to change my mind if learning otherwise, seems to be the way with some of these maple cultivars, multiple varieties with the same name or multiple names for the same cultivar. Don't know how to contact Mr. Yano, but would appreciate his verification one way or another if possible. Mr. Shep may have more insight, whose opinions, experiences, and memory are valued also, if time permits. Seems the two cultivars could be quite mixed up in Europe and North America, hopefully not so much in Japan but maybe possible. Photos below are of the tree regarded as 'Tsuma gaki'
here, for now anyways, with the understanding of 'Tsuma beni' having red margins along nearly the entire leaf lobes and 'Tsuma gaki' having red tipped leaf lobes. Also, labeled 'Tsuma beni' shown is twiggy, whereas the labeled 'Tsuma gaki' shown is not twiggy. Believe these characteristics match Mr. Vertree's descriptions and photos shown on some Japanese enthusiasts websites, although Mr. Yano's photo titled 'Tsuma gaki' is filed as 'Tsuma beni' so .......? Pics 1 and 2 taken May/08. Pics 3 and 4 taken July/07.

 

wonderful maple!tank you chimera .

 

Thank you alex, have been enjoying yours and others maple photo postings too.

 

This Acer palmatum Tsuma-beni was planted in 1997. 11 years on it is looking at its best this autumn.

1. Taken 29th October 2008.
2. Taken 9th May 2008.

 

today!!planted one in my garden!!

 

Beautiful!! How tall is your tree?

 

Kaitain, it is about 3ft/ 1m tall. It grows underneath a big oak, but still manages to get quite a lot of sun on it. We had to prune a side branch on it this year to be able to walk past it. Hope this helps.

 

Yes, thanks! That one goes on my wish list! :-)

 

May 2008, May 2009, October 2007

 

Uh, oh! I think my wish list just expanded.

Which date goes with which photo?

 

For my photos, the file name of the photos tell you their dates.

 

Here is the fall colr for 2011. I have found Tsuma beni to have a different fall color this year than the Tsuma gaki. It does not have the dark purple tones.

 

3 years on it still looks wonderful!

 

My Tsuma beni, close up of leaf in Spring 2020.

 

7th August 2020, rain through the night thankfully, as it's going to be the hottest day this year in the UK. I will post my maples during and after this heatwave.
Haven't posted this one for a few months, it's doing well.

 

13th August 2020 and the heatwave has now taken it's toll. New growth and old all suffering.
But as promised I'm adding these photos to show how cultivars cope at different times of the year and in different conditions. Some definatly not pretty, so have not put them on the Cheering ourselves up with maples thread !!!!
This is where they should be.
Some heat stress on a few leaves, but in the circumstances my Tsuma Beni is doing OK.

 

21st August 2020, two named Summer storms are going to hit later today with winds of 50 mph plus, so I thought it better to take photos early.
All have picked up this last week due to cooler conditions and long awaited rain. The colours are changing !!!!
The reds are coming, a little leaf scorch but I think I will get a good show this Autumn.

 

All the colours are appearing now on all my maples and as promised I will keep the photo diary going to show the transformation. So much rain now and new growth, the new shoots are loving this weather at last.
What a change in just a few days. If you blink you miss it !!!!
Photo 23rd August 2020

 

26th August 2020, the day after a very strong storm. (Francis). An update as requested. So many amazing colours now.
Had to show how the wind scorch has now affected my Tsuma Beni. Important to show the good and the bad on these threads.

 

Well it's the last day of August 2020 and as we have had a lot of rain and cooler weather here in England over the past two weeks, all my maples are doing well for the time of year.
This is another in my collection that is requested a lot. I understand it is for comparison between this and Gaki.