Coral Bark Maple - Acer palmatum ‘Senkaki’

Coral Bark Maple - Acer palmatum 'Senkaki'

Few deciduous specimens deliver year-round presence with the precision of Acer palmatum 'Senkaki'. Its vivid coral-red bark commands attention through winter when the landscape is stripped back, while delicate seasonal foliage adds refinement from spring through autumn.

Why Coral Bark Maple

Winter bark colour: Brilliant coral-red stems provide striking structure and colour during the dormant season when most specimens offer little visual interest.
Seasonal foliage sequence: Fresh pale green in spring transitions to a clean golden-yellow in autumn, delivering three distinct seasonal displays.
Architectural form: An upright, refined branching structure that reads well as a standalone specimen or within a layered planting composition.
Appropriate scale: Reaches 5 to 7 metres at maturity, well-suited to properties where presence is required without visual dominance.
Durability: Once established in a suitable position, this is a low-demand, long-lived specimen that rewards minimal intervention.

Ideal Applications

Prestige residential feature tree: A refined focal point in contemporary or Japanese-influenced landscape designs.
Courtyard and enclosed settings: Scaled appropriately for high-quality compact spaces where year-round interest is a priority.
Large container planting: Performs with distinction in substantial pots, positioning the bark detail within close viewing range on terraces or entry forecourts.
Layered canopy compositions: Introduces deciduous contrast and seasonal rhythm within predominantly evergreen planting schemes.

Specimen & Installation

Spacing (feature/avenue): 4–6m
Planting Season: Autumn to early spring (when dormant)
Soil & Drainage: Moist, well-drained, slightly acidic soil rich in organic matter; avoid waterlogged or highly alkaline soils
Establishment Care: Water deeply and regularly during the first two growing seasons to establish a strong root system, and apply a thick layer of organic mulch around the base to retain moisture and protect roots from temperature extremes. Avoid fertilising heavily; a light application of slow-release fertiliser in spring is sufficient.

Plant Details

Height: 4–6m
Width: 3–5m
Growth Rate: Slow
Foliage: Deciduous
Light: Full sun to partial shade
Native to: Japan
Flower Colour: Insignificant