Green Leaf Japanese Maple	Green Leaf Japanese Maple	Green Leaf Japanese Maple

Green Leaf Japanese Maple (Acer palmatum 'Aoyagi') Green Bark Trees

Acer palmatum 'Aoyagi', commonly known as the Green Bark Japanese Maple or Green Leaf Japanese Maple, is a striking deciduous tree prized for its year-round visual interest. The cultivar's name translates to "green coral" in Japanese, referring to its most distinctive feature: bright chartreuse to pea-green bark and stems, which stand out dramatically in winter. This green coloring extends to the twigs and young branches, creating a unique contrast with red- or yellow-barked maples.

Green Leaf Japanese Maple

Green Leaf Japanese Maple palmate leaves emerge in spring with a vibrant chartreuse hue, deepening to a rich green during summer, and transform into a bright golden-yellow in fall. The tree has an upright, wide-topped growth habit, reaching a mature height of 12 to 20 feet and a spread of 8 to 15 feet, depending on growing conditions. It thrives in partial shade, especially with protection from hot afternoon sun, and requires well-drained, slightly acidic soil. 'Aoyagi' is hardy in USDA zones 5 to 9 and is valued as a specimen tree or focal point in small gardens, rock gardens, or as a container plant.

While some sources note that the bark's green color may not always live up to its promise, the spring chartreuse foliage and fall yellow coloration are widely celebrated. It is also known to attract beneficial insects and birds. The strap-leaf form 'Aoyagi Gawa' is a related cultivar with long, narrow, bamboo-like leaves, offering a different textural appeal.

Pruning can help maintain a desired size and shape, but attempting to drastically restrict height is not recommended. Though naturally lower-branched, as the tree grows lower branches can be removed to expose more trunk and appear more tree-like. Supposedly this tree is deer and insect resistant as well as heat and sun tolerant.