Prune only branches or trunks rubbing against each other. Once established, keep pruning to a minimum. Japanese maples may be troubled by anthracnose, powdery mildew, leaf spot, leaf scorch, root rot, aphids, scales and borers. Anthracnose causes unsightly brown lesions on leaves. Seedlings are variable in their leaf color.
Plants placed in sun have better red color.
Its deep reddish purple leaves retain their color through the summer better than most. Branches droop to the ground. Leaves in spring are bright crimson red, becoming bronze-green to red in summer. This small tree grows 8 to 10 feet tall and has good red-purple color. It holds color well during summer.