| The brilliant colour of the bark is the outstanding feature of this maple and gives it its name, which means "coral tower". At times the colour becomes almost fluorescent. The younger the wood, the stronger the colour. The tones brighten in the autumn and then intensify as winter approaches. The colour is especially striking in snow.
The small typical palmatum-type leaves have five to seven ovate-acuminate lobes that taper to a sharp point. The margins are toothed. In the spring the light yellow-green leaves have strong reddish margins, giving the tree a striking appearance. As summer approaches, the foliage becomes a bright, light green. The colour turns to yellow-gold in the autumn with a blend of apricot and light red.
This upright-growing tree gradually spreads at the top as it ages. It makes a fine-shaped specimen for landscaping since it attains a height of 8m (26ft) or more and broadens to about 6m (20ft).
Source: "Japanese Maples - the complete guide to selection and cultivation" by J. D. Vertrees & Peter Gregory, page 226
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