Acer crataegifolium Sieb. & Zucc.

Native to the mountains of central and southern Japan, Acer crataegifolium was first introduced to cultivation when C. Maximowicz sent material to St Petersburg in 1862. It was later introduced to Britain by Charles Maries in 1879, whilst collecting on behalf of Veitch Nurseries. The following year Veitch then sent a portion of seed to Charles Sargent at the Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University, introducing it to North America (Jacobson 1996). In the wild, it is one of the earliest woody species to come into leaf and to flower, some time before its associates (Ogata 1999). Sargent (1894) described it as so common in central Japan as to warrant no further mention in his Forest Flora of Japan. Indeed, it is one of several common Japanese maple species that furnish the rich forests of the region. In Nihon University Forest, Gunma Prefecture in 2019, Tony Aiello observed it as one of seven maples species, with A. crataegifolium the sole snakebark among them. The others were A. carpinifolium, A. cissifolium, A. distylum, A. maximowiczianum, A. nipponicum, A. pictum and A. sieboldianum (T. Aiello, pers. comms. 2019).

Its resemblance to Crataegus, hawthorn, in relation to its specific epithet, is weak at best. It is also unlikely to be confused, in its typical form, with other members of Section Macrantha. Its unlobed leaves are most similar to those of typical Acer laxiflorum and, to a lesser degree, A. caudatifolium. Smaller leaves and obtuse tips help distinguish it from these species. In growth it is considered somewhat weak (le Hardÿ de Beaulieu 2003), though like many maple species it can be vigorous in youth. At Hergest Croft it has been found to thrive only when planted in relatively deep shade (W.L. Banks pers. comm. 2020). Its foliage flushes shades of purple, turning to green then to shades of either yellow or dark red in autumn, although it is relatively unspectacular in this regard. It may be at its most ornamental in summer, when its red-fruited racemes contrast well with the summer foliage. Siting in partial shade is advised.

The species’ relative lack of synonyms, something of a novelty in Section Macrantha, is indicative of its relative distinctness. It is represented by numerous recent introductions from different parts of its native range in arboreta throughout our area. Plants with somewhat larger leaves are found in collections, including at Arboretum Wespelaar, and care should be taken not to rush to any hasty determinations without proper examination of several leaves when distinguishing between this and related species.