Acer capillipes

This Japanese maple is grown primarily for its remarkable bark. The trunk and branches are olive-green with conspicuous white vertical stripes, earning it the name snake-bark maple. In spring, the new shoots emerge with a bright red hue, and the three-lobed leaves sit on contrasting red stalks throughout the season.

It typically reaches a height of around 12 metres with a broad, rounded canopy. We find it performs best in moist, well-drained soil that does not dry out completely. While it handles full sun, a spot with partial shade helps preserve the bark and prevents the leaves from scorching during hot spells.

We have kept this species on our Thurning ground for years because it offers interest in every season. It requires very little pruning, usually only to remove misplaced branches during the winter dormancy. It sits well alongside rhododendrons or other woodland plants that enjoy similar cool, damp conditions.