This is a nice specimen I have had for two years now. All photos are from this year, just after leafing to present. We are in the process of moving and I recently dug this tree for transport to its new home. The red and orange coloration on the leaves appeared shortly after its potting and a few days of 85-90 degrees in full exposure. My experience with the tree thus far is that it is pretty slow growing (Vertrees says 10-12cm/yr) and prefers some protection later in the season from hot sun and wind. When I had it potted last summer, it seemed quite suseptible to leaf damage from missed waterings. It is certainly one of my favorites and a great addition to any collection that desires variety.
Michael, Very nice specimen indeed, it will be added to my waiting list. May I make a suggestion to you and all other posting multiple pictures: please include the date in the pic to allow viewers to establish the correct chronology. It will help better understanding the evolution of leaves as the season progresses. Kind regards, Gomero
Photos are in chronological order left to right, first row, second row. First photo: 4/10/2005 Photos 2-3: 4/25/2005 Photos 4-5: 5/20/2005 Hope that is useful. This seiboldianum was one of the later trees to leaf out for me.
Here are a couple of fall color photos from today, 11/10/05 I believe these are all second-growth leaves as the first set was lost to dessication when the plant was dug from the ground and containerized for our move to a new home in the early summer. Fall color is still pretty accurate. MJH
This one whet back it a pot last summer when we moved, but seems to be doing well. Photos this first week of may 2006.
Really tiny leaves on this one, I love the fresh green when they are new in the spring. I think Yano's book says they are Acer tenuifolium so not 100% sure if the sieboldianum designation is correct..... but probably a hybrid anyway... who knows? I will get on my phone and upload a pic or two...
I was curious as to the actual leaf size of 'Sode no uchi' today so measured them. The biggest one I could find on my potted plant was 5cm by 5cm and the smallest about 2cm. Most are between 3 and 4 cm and I only found the one leaf that went over 4.5cm. I will include the shot with a tape measure for reference even though it is not a great picture. The other pictures capture it nicely in the harsh midday sun. The green has darkened some since the fresh leaf colour of a month ago and there are some overtones of red. The nice bark colour can be seen also. (It looks like there is a 'Trompenburg' next to it in some of the shots but that is actually a seed grown plant with smaller leaves than the real 'Trompenburg' in case anyone was using the "faux Trompenburg" leaves as a yardstick.)
I had only viewed those pictures on my phone before I uploaded them and hadn't realised how over-exposed they were until after they were posted. Took a couple more this morning and turned down the exposure a notch, plus the sun was more from the right rather than directly behind me. I think it captures the colour much better.
The fresh green early spring colour is very nice when the leaves are new. Pictures also to show the colour of the twigs and bark.
More red/pink in the summer leaf tones this year, I can only assume to be a reaction to the heatwaves and drought we are experiencing. The maple gets full direct sun in the mornings and shade from maybe 2pm onwards. Three sets of pictures showing colour in April, June and August: Late april: 22nd June, near the solstice: August 11th:
Very nice @maf! I see I have something exciting to look forward to. Mine is in the greenhouse for the year.