Acer vitifolium - Evergreen Trees Direct

Acer vitifolium - Grape-leaved Maple - Evergreen Trees Direct

Acer vitifolium - Grape-leaved Maple

$180.00

Tax included. Shipping calculated at checkout.

Size: 30cm/33cm

30cm/33cm 40cm/45L 100L 150L 200L 400L 500L

Current Stock Height Guides

40cm/45L: 2.2m – 2.4m Approx.
100L: 2.5m – 3m Approx.

Height guide disclaimer: Height ranges are approximate only. As living products, plant heights naturally vary between individual plants, batches, and seasons. No guarantee is given that supplied plants will fall within the stated range. If minimum heights are required, you mustconfirm current batch heights with Evergreen Trees Direct prior to purchase. Variation in height is normal and is not grounds for return, refund, replacement, or compensation.

Mature Height & Width

Mature Height: 6m to 10m

Mature Width: 3m to 6m

Acer vitifolium - Grape-leaved Maple is expected to grow 40cm to 60cm per year (moderate).

Root Ball Dimensions

Use this as a reference when digging your planting hole. We recommend digging at least 10% wider than the dimensions below to encourage strong root development.

30cm Pot: 33cm (W) × 30cm (D)
40cm/45L Pot: 44cm (W) × 41.5cm (D)
50cm Pot / 70L Pot: 55cm (W) × 41.8cm (D)
100L Bag: 50.6cm (W) × 52.8cm (D)
150L Bag: 66cm (W) × 55cm (D)
200L Bag: 71.5cm (W) × 60.5cm (D)
300L Bag: 88cm (W) × 63.8cm (D)
400L Bag: 99cm (W) × 66cm (D)
500L Bag: 122cm (W) × 66cm (D)
750L Bag: 134cm (W) × 69cm (D)
1000L Bag: 146.3cm (W) × 71.5cm (D)
2000L Bag: 176cm (W) × 82.5cm (D)

Trade

We supply advanced trees to landscapers, developers, architects, and councils Australia-wide. Trade clients receive fast quotes, expert advice, and access to premium stock with reliable freight.

Register or learn more ›

Shipping

Shipping is calculated at checkout based on the pallet space your order occupies in the truck and your delivery location.

There is no charge to calculate your freight.

Contact

Have a question or a list to send through to us?

Email: sales@evergreentrees.com.au

Phone: (03) 7042 3318

About Your New Acer vitifolium - Grape-leaved Maple

Acer japonicum 'Vitifolium', long sold as Acer vitifolium or grape-leaved maple, is a broad, upright deciduous tree. The large rounded leaves are cut into many shallow lobes, giving them the look of a vine leaf. Green through summer, they turn a mix of yellow, orange and deep red in autumn.

Part shade or filtered light suits it, though it takes full sun in cool districts with reliable moisture. It wants a deep, humus rich, free draining soil and shelter from hot dry wind. Growth is moderate, near 40 to 60 centimetres a year. Frost hardy and at its best in cool temperate regions.

The open branching and soft canopy suit parks, woodland style gardens, large residential blocks and sheltered courtyards. It reads well underplanted with ferns or shade tolerant groundcovers. Where a client wants strong autumn colour and a leaf shape that is not the usual maple outline, this is a straightforward answer.

Frequently Asked Questions

About Grape-leaved Maple

What is grape-leaved maple?

Grape-leaved maple is a broad deciduous tree correctly known as Acer japonicum Vitifolium and commonly listed as Acer vitifolium. The large rounded leaves are cut into many shallow lobes and look much like a vine leaf. Green through summer, they turn yellow, orange and deep red in autumn. Small yellow flowers appear in spring.

How big does grape-leaved maple grow?

It reaches 6 to 10 metres in height and 3 to 6 metres across at maturity, with an upright habit and an open branching pattern. It is narrower than most shade maples of similar height, so it fits into larger residential gardens and park beds where a spreading canopy would not work.

Is grape-leaved maple evergreen or deciduous?

Deciduous. The tree carries fresh green foliage from spring through summer, colours strongly in autumn, then drops its leaves and stands bare through winter. The open branch framework is attractive in its own right during dormancy, and the leaf drop lets winter light through to plantings underneath.

When does the autumn colour appear?

Autumn colour develops from about April into May across southern Australia, later in warmer districts and earlier in the highlands. The display runs through yellow and orange to deep red, often with several colours on the tree at once. Cool nights and a bright open aspect give the strongest result.

Does grape-leaved maple need sun or shade?

Part shade or filtered light suits it in most Australian gardens. It will take full sun in cool districts where soil moisture is reliable, but the large leaves burn in hot dry wind and exposed western positions. Shelter matters more than shade, so a protected site with morning sun is the ideal.

Is grape-leaved maple frost tolerant?

Yes, it is fully frost hardy once established and handles cold winters without difficulty. Cold weather is in fact what drives the autumn display. Late frosts can nip soft spring growth in exposed sites, so a position with some overhead shelter helps in frost prone valleys and hollows.

How do I care for grape-leaved maple?

Plant into deep, humus rich, free draining soil and mulch generously. Water deeply through the first two or three summers, and during extended dry spells after that. Feed in early spring with a slow release fertiliser. Prune only in late winter to take out dead or crossing branches, as the natural form needs little shaping.

Enriched Planting Mix (AO Certified)

$21.95

Enriched Planting Mix is a certified organic blend of Pure Magic Compost, composted animal manure, gypsum, composted coarse bark and a wetting agent, bagged in 30L. It is built to be dug through existing garden soil at planting time rather than used on its own, and the gypsum is what sets it apart from a plain compost.

Gypsum helps break up heavy clay so water and roots can move through it, while the compost and manure return organic matter and nutrient to tired ground. The coarse bark holds structure and keeps air around the root zone, and the wetting agent keeps moisture in the soil longer after rain or watering.

Use it when planting trees, shrubs, roses, fruit trees and exotic garden plants, particularly into clay. Dig a hole twice the width of the pot and 7 centimetres deeper, then mix roughly one third planting mix through the excavated soil. Spread 7 centimetres of that improved soil in the base before setting the plant in.

Frequently Asked Questions

About Enriched Planting Mix

What is Enriched Planting Mix made from?

It is a blend of Pure Magic Compost, composted animal manure, gypsum, composted coarse bark and a wetting agent. Each part has a job. The compost and manure supply organic matter and nutrient, the gypsum works on clay structure, the bark keeps air around the roots and the wetting agent holds moisture in the soil.

What plants is it suitable for?

It suits exotic garden plants, including roses, ornamental and deciduous trees, fruit trees, shrubs and perennials, and it earns its keep most on heavy clay sites. It is a planting mix rather than a potting mix, so its job is improving soil at planting time. Phosphorus sensitive natives are the one clear exception.

Is it safe for natives?

No, not for the phosphorus sensitive ones. The composted animal manure in this blend lifts phosphorus well above what Proteaceae such as Banksia, Grevillea, Hakea and Protea will tolerate, and the result can be leaf burn, dieback and plant death. Use the Native Potting Mix for those species, or plant them into unimproved local soil.

Is it certified organic?

Yes. It is a certified organic product with no chemical additives, which is why the manure and compost in it are fully composted rather than raw. That makes it sound around fruit trees and vegetable beds, and it means you are adding genuine organic matter to your soil rather than a synthetic conditioner.

How much do I need?

Work on roughly one third planting mix to two thirds of the soil you dug out of the hole. For a shrub out of a 200 millimetre pot that is only a few litres. An advanced tree going into a large hole will take considerably more. Judge the quantity by the volume of the hole rather than the size of the plant.

Can I use it in pots?

It is not a potting mix and should not be used on its own in a container. The blend is designed to be diluted through garden soil, and used straight in a pot it holds too much water and settles badly. For containers, reach for a premium potting mix, or the native mix if you are potting natives.

Does it need to be watered in?

Yes. Water the plant well several hours before you plant it, then water thoroughly again once the hole is backfilled and the soil firmed down. That first deep watering settles the improved soil around the root ball and drives out air pockets. Keep the water up over the first few months while the roots establish.

View full details

Type: Garden Supplies

Enriched Planting Mix (AO Certified)

$21.95

Type: Australian Native

Casuarina glauca 'Cousin It'

From $160.00

Type: Hedging and Screening Trees

Camellia sasanqua 'Setsugekka'

From $180.00

Type: Australian Native

Grevillea x 'Moonlight'

From $160.00

Type: Hedging and Screening Trees

Pittosporum tenuifolium 'Silver Sheen'

From $145.00

Type: Hedging and Screening Trees

Rhaphiolepis indica 'Oriental Pearl'

From $40.00

Type: Structural Foliage

Buxus sempervirens English Box Topiary Balls

From $200.00

Uses in my Garden

Feature Tree
Shade Tree
Council or Civic Landscapes

Acer vitifolium - Grape-leaved Maple works in an:

Woodland Garden – layered, naturalistic design under dappled light.
Cottage Garden – romantic mix of flowers, colour, and texture.
Heritage / Traditional Garden – timeless, classic plantings for period homes.
Modern Garden – sleek, minimal, and design-led planting.

Is Acer vitifolium - Grape-leaved Maple Evergreen or Deciduous?

Acer vitifolium - Grape-leaved Maple is an Deciduous (Defoliates throughout colder months) Tree

Mature Height & Width

Mature Height: 6m to 10m

Mature Width: 3m to 6m

Acer vitifolium - Grape-leaved Maple is expected to grow 40cm to 60cm per year (moderate).

Growth Rate of Acer vitifolium - Grape-leaved Maple

Acer vitifolium - Grape-leaved Maple is expected to grow 40cm to 60cm per year (moderate).

They are considered to have a:

Medium Growth Rate

Frost Tolerance & Ideal Climate to plant Acer vitifolium - Grape-leaved Maple

Is Acer vitifolium - Grape-leaved Maple frost tolerant?

Acer vitifolium - Grape-leaved Maple is Frost Hardy – Survives heavy and frequent frost without damage.

Does Acer vitifolium - Grape-leaved Maple Flower?

Acer vitifolium produces small clusters of yellow-green spring flowers that appear just before the new foliage develops. Though modest, these early blooms supply pollen for beneficial insects and mark the beginning of its seasonal growth cycle.

Does Acer vitifolium - Grape-leaved Maple flower?

Yes - Flowers

Flowering Period:

Spring

Flower Type:

Clustered

Flower Colour:

Yellow

Is Acer vitifolium - Grape-leaved Maple an Australian Native Tree?

No

Acer vitifolium - Grape-leaved Maple is Native to Central and South America, particularly Colombia and Ecuador, where it grows in montane cloud forests at high altitudes.

What is the Wildlife Value of Acer vitifolium - Grape-leaved Maple ?

Its broad, lobed foliage forms a dense canopy that offers excellent cover for small birds, while its spring flowers provide pollen for native bees, hoverflies and other beneficial insects. The tree also contributes to a cooler, sheltered micro-habitat that enhances garden biodiversity.

How much Sunlight does Acer vitifolium - Grape-leaved Maple need?

Acer vitifolium - Grape-leaved Maple will thrive best in:

Full Sun
Part Shade

Preferred Soil?

Acer vitifolium performs best in well-drained loam or sandy loam soils and prefers slightly acidic to neutral conditions. It may struggle in heavy clay or poorly drained positions unless improved with organic matter to enhance aeration and drainage. Keep soil evenly moist during establishment, then shift to deep, occasional watering as the tree matures and builds moderate drought resilience.

Is Acer vitifolium - Grape-leaved Maple Drought Tolerant?

Is Acer vitifolium - Grape-leaved Maple Drought tolerant?

As a young tree it requires consistent watering, but once established Acer vitifolium develops moderate drought tolerance. It copes well with short dry spells, though deep, occasional watering during extended heat helps maintain canopy health and strong seasonal colour.

youtube

How To Plant Your Acer vitifolium - Grape-leaved Maple

Site: Choose a well-drained position in full sun to part shade with room for the canopy to develop.

Soil preparation: Enrich the planting area with quality compost and aged manure for a strong establishment phase.

Hole: Dig twice as wide as the root ball and the same depth.

Planting: Position level with the surrounding soil, backfill gently, firm in, then water deeply to settle the roots.

Recommended Planting Spacing For Your Acer vitifolium - Grape-leaved Maple

Feature tree: 3 to 4 metres apart to allow the full canopy and form to develop.

Avenue planting: 3 metres apart for a uniform soft-textured avenue.

Acer vitifolium - Grape-leaved Maple is expected to grow 40cm to 60cm per year (moderate).

Medium Growth Rate

Long Term Care For Your Acer vitifolium - Grape-leaved Maple

Watering: Water deeply twice weekly through the first 12 months. Once established, reduce to once weekly in dry periods. Mulch helps maintain consistent moisture.

Mulching: Apply a 5 to 7 centimetre layer of organic mulch over the root zone, keeping it 5 centimetres clear of the trunk.

Pruning: Minimal pruning required. Light tip prune in late winter to maintain shape, and remove lower branches as the tree grows to develop a clean feature trunk.

Fertilising: Apply a slow-release general-purpose fertiliser in early spring and again in autumn for steady growth and consistent foliage colour.

Pest and disease: Hardy against most pests and diseases. Occasional scale or caterpillar inspection in warm humid conditions is all that's needed.

Planting Your Acer vitifolium - Grape-leaved Maple in Different Soil

Acer vitifolium performs best in well-drained loam or sandy loam with a slightly acidic to neutral pH. Adaptable to a wide range of soils when drainage is improved with organic matter.

Sandy soil: Free-draining and ideal. Mulch well to maintain consistent moisture.

Clay soil: Improve drainage with gypsum and organic compost before planting.

Loam: The preferred soil for steady root development and consistent growth.

pH: Slightly acidic to neutral preferred. Mulch with composted leaf litter to maintain levels naturally.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What makes Acer vitifolium unique?
A. Its foliage is deeply lobed and resembles grape leaves, giving it a distinctive appearance and strong autumn display.

Q. How fast does it grow?
A. It grows at a moderate rate of 40 – 60 cm per year under suitable conditions.

Q. Is this tree suitable for hedging or screening?
A. No, it’s best used as a feature tree, especially in open landscapes or park settings.

Q. When does it flower and what are they like?
A. It blooms in spring with small greenish-yellow flowers, followed by ornamental winged samaras.

Q. What kind of conditions does it prefer?
A. It thrives in cool temperate climates and adapts to a range of well-drained soils.

Q. Does it need much maintenance?
A. Very little — just occasional pruning to maintain structure. It’s easy to grow once established.

Q. Where does it look best?
A. In naturalistic gardens, large yards, or woodland-style plantings where its open form and foliage can be fully appreciated.