A Gardeners Forum Forums Gardening Reference Gardening in 2002 Japanese Acer

Does anyone know if a Japanese Acer can be grown from a cutting. In a courtyard where I work we had the most gorgeous, huge Acer which filled the courtyard. It was stunning with every shade of orange, red, yellow, etc. and much admired by everyone and it made the courtyard seem sunny all through the autumn. This courtyard has been earmarked for office space and building is due to begin shortly. Much to our disgust and anger instead of the the Acer being carefully uprooted and moved, it has been HACKED down and thrown in a skip. I have salvaged a couple of sprigs in the hope that I can get them to root. I don't know anything about growing these beautiful trees, and don't hold out much hope. Does anyone have any advice please?

Yes you can grow it from a cutting, as you would do any other hardwood cutting. Japanese acers grow very slowly, however, so it would be awhile before you have a tree large enough to transplant into the ground. My suggestion would be to leave it in a pot for a few years.

Yes, they can be grown from a cutting like AlanKHart mentioned.
One thing however is that a lot of the times the plant may return to its natural state. The lacy leaves on the Jap maples are a common abnormality. If you look closely at just about all Jap maples, there will be a graft, where the abnormal plant tissue was attached to a normal trunk. Usually the grafted area has been turned upside down as well, creating the weeping effect.
I have seen where some plants have had the normal wide lobed leaves on one side and the very delicate lacy leaves on the other.
Which can make a very interesting plant itself.

Whoops forgot something that is VERY important!!! Since this is a full sun tree
When finally transplanted outside. You will have to provide artificial shade for the tree such as covering it with burlap during the mid day sun. for at least the period until the leaves can do this its self. Or paint the bark white on the main trunk to avoid sun scald or burning the bark of the tree. If you do this use a latex based paint not oil!