Wildfire Coral Bark Japanese Maple
Acer palmatum ‘Wild Fire’
Other Names: Wild Fire Japanese Maple, Wild Fire Coral Bark Japanese Maple
Plant Details
USDA Plant Hardiness Zones: 5a-9b  Find Your Zone
Height at Maturity:Â 20-25′
Width at Maturity:Â 15-20′
Growth Habit / Form:Â Upright, Vase ShapeÂ
Growth Rate:Â Moderate, FastÂ
Foliage Color in Spring: Â Lime Green
Foliage Color in Summer: Â Medium Green
Foliage Color in Fall: Â Golden Yellow, Orange, Red, Pink
Light Needs:Â Full Sun or Mostly Sun, Morning Sun with Dappled or Afternoon Shade, All Day Filtered Sun, Morning Shade with Evening Sun
Water Needs:Â Â Average, moderately drought tolerant when established
Soil Type:Â Â Sandy, Loam & Clay (Condition heavy clay soils when planting)
Drainage:Â Well drained soil is a must!
Soil pH:Â 5.0 – 7.0 is ideal
Maintenance: Â Low
Resistances:Â Deer, Heat Tolerant, Insect, Disease, Sun Tolerant
Description
A year round color factory in the landscape, the ‘Wildfire’ Japanese Maple, a member of the Coral Bark family, certainly lives up to its name sporting glowing shades of red, orange and yellow on the bark and the fall foliage. Perhaps the most outstanding attribute is the bark, which is golden-yellow to golden-orange toward the base, transitioning to orange further up through the branches, and finally to a brilliant red at the outer stems. The attractive leaves emerge bright lime-green in spring, which is a wonderful contrast with the colorful bark, then gradually turning to a rich medium green. Fall brings brilliant shades of yellows and reds. Wildfire was discovered somewhat recently by Jason Stevens in North Carolina so no one is really sure about the mature height and width. So far, in our gardens, its upright vase-shape and growth rate seem very similar to that of its cousin, ‘Sango Kaku’, which means it might reach 15 feet tall and wide over time, give or take a few feet. An excellent accent or focal point specimen tree in home foundation plantings landscape borders.
Landscape & Garden Uses
To showcase its magnificence and beauty, the Wildfire Japanese Maple is best used as a focal point specimen to draw attention to a specific area of the home or landscape. That said, you can plant it in groupings of three or use two to accentuate an entryway.
Suggest Spacing:Â At least 20 feet apart for space between trees
Note:  One Japanese Maple can make a landscape…that is if you don’t overcrowd it with other trees and plants. Therefore, when selecting companions to plant under or around your Japanese Maple, make sure to select low-growing shrubs or groundcover plants that won’t interfere with or overcrowd your tree.Â
Growing Preferences
Though delicate looking, Japanese Maples are actually very tough and long-lived trees. They are very easy to grow. Container culture can extend their useful range. They are extremely easy to grow in containers, a practice taken to its most extreme form in the art of bonsai.
In their natural habitat, Japanese Maples are understory trees, growing in dappled forest sunlight at the edges of woodlands. Ideally they prefer to be grown in similar conditions. That said, ‘Wildfire’ has shown good tolerance to full sun, however a little filtered sun or shade during the mid afternoon hours during summer might be appreciated.
Most any average garden soil will grow Japanese Maples. They prefer a moist but well-drained soil rich in organic matter. As with so many other ornamental plants and trees, constantly soggy or wet soil can be problematic. So make sure to plant your Japanese Maple in a well-drained site.
Helpful Articles
Click on a link below to find helpful advice from our experts on how to plant and care for Japanese Maple trees.
How To Plant A Japanese Maple Tree In The Ground
How to Plant A Japanese Maple Tree In A Pot
How To Fertilize And Water A Japanese Maple Tree
How To Prune A Japanese Maple
Plant Long & Prosper!
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