Do Japanese Maple Trees Need Sun?

Basic Light Requirements

• Japanese maples grow in full sun to partial shade locations in a landscape. In their native habitat, these maples grow in the dappled, shifting light among other trees in the forest, or along the edges of the woods where more light is present. While a Japanese maple will survive in partial to full shade conditions, its growth rate slows and its leaves may not receive enough light energy to remain as full and healthy a plant.

Effects of Shade

• If grown in too much shade, expect any Japanese maple to become rather leggy and lopsided in habit. Branches receiving the most and brightest light will look the best, while shaded branches will become sparse and often die back. Leaves become larger, thinner and greener in color. Sunlight encourages a uniform plant silhouette on all sides, with more numerous leaves, as well as more intense pigmentation. The pigmentation is noticeable in yellow, red and purple-leaved cultivars in spring and summer. Too much shade also dulls the fall foliage colors as well.

Regional Insight

• Depending on species or cultivar, Japanese maples are best grown in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 5 through 8, where winters include subfreezing temperatures. In the northern tier of the United States, where summers are cooler, Japanese maples grow very well in all-day sunlight as long as the soil remains evenly moist. Farther south and west, where summers are hotter or summer droughts are more likely, Japanese maples benefit from being shaded from midday until dusk. Hot sun doesn't kill the trees, but causes leaves to scald, display brown edges and suffer more drought-related stress. Morning sunlight is preferred to afternoon sunlight if partial-day sun exposures exist in the garden.

Recommendations

• Plant any Japanese maple in a location where it receives no less than four hours of unobstructed sun rays sometime during the day. You may plant the maple in the bright shade under woodland trees on your property or the north side of a building, but do not expect the tree to remain as full and vibrant compared to a sunnier spot.