Japanese Maple

Below we have the same shot of the katsuratree I blogged about last week.  If you look beyond that sprawling beauty, you'll see another large tree.  At first glance, you'd maybe wonder if they are the same, but a second look proves that wrong. 

 

The tree to the left has samaras, and opposite leaf orientation.  That, along with the stripey bark and a few persistent leaves make it quite clear that this is Acer palmatum or Japanese maple.   A gigantic Japanese maple. 

Most cultivars of Acer palmatum (and there are hundreds of cultivars) top out at about 30', max.  'Bloodgood' is by far one of the most famous cultivars and gets about 15'.  I'd love to know what this one is, since its spread is around 45' and it's probably just as tall. 

 

Elsewhere in Dumbarton Oaks, a smaller, more protected specimen still had leaves on it.  As you can see the plant has amazing fall color. 

Despite the gorgeous seasonal interest, I don't use Japanese maples too often.  Namely because I'm not crazy about the deep purple foliage many of the cultivars have during the summer. Some cultivars have green leaves during the summer, and I like them much more. 

Though it's hard to be critical of this plant when the fall color is so remarkable!  Indeed, that's why it's one of the most popular small non-flowering ornamental trees.