The Trees at Keele

Downy Japanese Maple Acer japonicum

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Acer japonicum is a small deciduous tree growing to 5–10 m (rarely 15 m) tall. The leaves are rounded, 7–15 cm in diameter with 9–13 serrate lobes incised to half or less of the diameter of the leaf; they are downy at first with white hairs, the hairs mostly lost by late summer except on the veins and the underside of the leaf. The leaves turn bright red in the autumn. It is widely planted and there are numerous cultivars.

Location: a group of trees on the far side of Lake 1.