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The name means "painted fingernails". The greenish spring leaves are tipped with red. Shining red fingernails in autumn, but somehow an aristocrat rather than a prostitute. Gordon Harris says: "Closely resembles 'Tsuma Beni' and has soft yelloe-green spring foliage with purple-red tips but the leaf is thin and droops. Then later in the season the foliage becomes deep green and in autumn turns crimson and red." Mr Maple says: "Acer palmatum 'Tsuma gaki' is simply an amazing Japanese maple. It leafs out in the early spring providing a dynamic contrast of large bright yellow leaves outlined in a deep purple red border on the tips of each lobe. It is for this reason that this tree's name is translated as "painted nails". During the late summer 'Tsuma gaki' often turns to a deep burgundy before turning to a bright crimson in the fall. Like most Japanese maples, it prefers protection from the hot afternoon sun in the southern United States but can often handle full sun in other climates. 'Tsuma gaki' forms a rounded shape with horizontal branching reaching 10 ft tall by 10 ft wide in 15 years. This tree is great for a focal point or an accent planting. 'Tsuma gaki' brings that shock and awe factor to your garden." Maple Ridge Nursery say: "Acer palmatum ‘Tsuma gaki’ is the famous "Red Fingernails" Japanese maple gets this name from the bright red tips on the light green almost yellow newly emerging leaves. This color persists throughout the spring fading to a nice dark green by summer. Fall color is bright red. 'Tsuma gaki' performs best in partial shade and over time grows into a small round tree." |
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| 4th June 2006 | ||
