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Bloodgood Japanese Maple Aftercare in the Pacific Northwest

Bloodgood Japanese Maple

Bloodgood Japanese Maple tree, Acer palmatum 'Bloodgood', mature specimen — species reference for Pacific Arboriculture homeowners in Auburn and the south Puget Sound.
Bloodgood Japanese Maple (Acer palmatum 'Bloodgood'). Photo: Photo by David J. Stang, CC BY-SA 4.0. Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Acer_palmatum_Bloodgood_1zz.jpg
Acer palmatum ‘Bloodgood’
  • Deep burgundy-purple foliage that holds its color through summer better than most red Japanese maples
  • Brilliant scarlet fall color before leaf drop
  • Compact upright habit suited to small gardens, entry corners, and large containers
  • Cold-hardy and adaptable to a range of well-drained soil types

A fresh, richly-hued focal point of any landscape, the Bloodgood Japanese Maple is known for standing out with amazing color. Landscape designers across the south Puget Sound use its vibrant burgundy silhouette because it pops well against grass, flower beds, and stone patios. The spring leaves emerge a deep crimson, hold their saturation through summer better than most red-leafed Japanese maples, and finish with a brilliant scarlet display before leaf drop.

Planting and Care

  1. Planting. Choose a location with well-drained soil and full to partial sunlight — 4 to 8 hours per day. In hotter inland sites, give the tree afternoon shade and protection from the harshest summer sun. Dig a hole slightly wider than the rootball and the same depth, place the tree, backfill with the original soil, water the planting site thoroughly, and mulch with arborist wood chips to preserve soil moisture.
  2. Watering. The average amount of water supplied to the most common lawn and garden plants is adequate for a new Japanese Maple — a deep watering once or twice weekly. During the hot summer months, water early morning or evening to limit evaporation and leaf scorch.
  3. Fertilizing. Japanese Maples do not require large amounts of nutrients. If the rest of the lawn and garden plants do well, a Bloodgood will grow just fine. If fertilization is recommended, use a balanced complete fertilizer for shrubs and trees, applied once a year in early spring just before the leaves appear.
  4. Pruning. The tree will need 2 to 3 years to become firmly established. After this period, light corrective pruning is acceptable but not required. Best window in the south Puget Sound: mid-summer (July–August), when sap bleeding is minimal and disease pressure is low.

Bloodgood holds its red color exceptionally well in cool, partly cloudy summers — ideal for Auburn, Renton, Kent, Tacoma, and Federal Way landscapes. Site away from west-facing reflective walls to prevent late-afternoon leaf scorch in heat waves.

Need a Pacific Arboriculture ISA Certified Arborist to look at the bloodgood japanese maple on the property?
Call (206) 909-2170 or request a free quote — Pacific Arboriculture provides residential and commercial tree services across Auburn, Kent, Renton, Tacoma, Federal Way, Puyallup, Sumner, Bonney Lake, Maple Valley, and the wider south Puget Sound.

Return to Maples aftercare.

Bloodgood Japanese Maple Specs

Mature Height15–20 ft
Mature Width15–20 ft
SunlightFull Sun, Partial Shade
Growth RateModerate
Botanical NameAcer palmatum ‘Bloodgood’
Planting questions?
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