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Crimson Queen Japanese Maple Aftercare in the Pacific Northwest

Crimson Queen Japanese Maple

Crimson Queen Japanese Maple tree, Acer palmatum dissectum 'Crimson Queen', mature specimen — species reference for Pacific Arboriculture homeowners in Auburn and the south Puget Sound.
Crimson Queen Japanese Maple (Acer palmatum dissectum 'Crimson Queen'). Photo: Photo by David J. Stang, CC BY-SA 4.0. Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Acer_palmatum_Crimson_Queen_0zz.jpg
Acer palmatum dissectum ‘Crimson Queen’
  • Lacy, deeply-cut burgundy foliage that holds color all summer
  • Weeping, mounded form — wider than tall at maturity
  • Excellent specimen for entry corners, focal beds, and large containers
  • Among the most heat-tolerant of the lacy-leaf Japanese maple cultivars

Crimson Queen is one of the most popular weeping lacy-leaf Japanese maples for good reason: the deeply-dissected burgundy foliage holds its rich color from spring through summer better than most cutleaf cultivars, and the cascading mounded form creates instant garden architecture. Mature trees develop a graceful weeping silhouette that’s wider than tall, making them ideal as standalone focal points or anchor specimens beside entries and water features.

Planting and Care

  1. Planting. Plant in well-drained soil with morning sun and afternoon shade in the south Puget Sound — the lacy foliage is more heat-sensitive than the standard upright Japanese maples. Dig a hole twice as wide as the rootball, set the trunk flare slightly above grade in clay soils, backfill, water in, and mulch.
  2. Watering. Slow deep watering once or twice per week through the first two summers. Established trees benefit from consistent moisture — the fine-cut leaves scorch rapidly in dry stretches. Avoid overhead sprinklers that wet the foliage.
  3. Fertilizing. No fertilizer in year one. From year two, a single light application of balanced slow-release fertilizer in early spring is sufficient. Crimson Queen does not benefit from heavy feeding.
  4. Pruning. Light corrective pruning only, in mid-summer (July–August). Remove dead twigs, thin congested interior branches to improve airflow, and preserve the natural cascading silhouette. Heavy pruning ruins the form and is rarely recoverable.

Crimson Queen handles south Puget Sound summers better than most lacy-leaf Japanese maples but still benefits from afternoon shade in Auburn, Kent, and Federal Way landscapes. Mulch deeply and consistently to keep root-zone temperatures cool.

Need a Pacific Arboriculture ISA Certified Arborist to look at the crimson queen 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.

Crimson Queen Japanese Maple Specs

Mature Height8–10 ft
Mature Width10–12 ft
SunlightFull Sun, Partial Shade
Growth RateSlow
Botanical NameAcer palmatum dissectum ‘Crimson Queen’
Planting questions?
(206) 909-2170
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