Question
I have an eight year old Dwarf Japanese Maple tree that is the fine lacy type.  In the fall it is bright red and in the summer months turns green with faint red on the edges of the lacy leaves. In the fall it turns scarlett red.  A contractor has damaged it and I am having difficulty finding out its species and value. Is there an expert that I can email photos to that can help me identify my tree.

Answer
Hello,

You should have this tree evaluated for its value by personal inspection. The tree should be physically examined by an expert appraiser to really get to its true value. The siting of the tree in the landscape and how it fits in with the rest of the property must also be considered. Some of this is a gut feeling thing that only an experienced tree appraiser can perform.

The Dwarf Japanese Maple is of only one species; acer palmatum but cultivars of this species include: Aratama, Kashima, Beni Hoshi, Kiyohime, Beni Hime, Kinra, Green Star, Geisha, Ukon, Yubae, Wou Nishiki, and Baby Lace.

The International Society of Arboriculture is a top authority on tree appraisal. They have published "The Guide for Plant Appraisal",available at their website: www.ag.uiuc.edu/~isa/welcome.html

To locate a tree appraiser in your area write the American Society of Consulting Arborists at 15245 Shady Grove Road, Suite 130; Rockville, MD 20850; or call at (301) 947-0483.

Or you can go to their website: http://www.asca-consultants.org/ and submit your question to one of their experts. Good luck. Let me know if I can be of further help.

Mark Harshman
http://www.mahdrafting.com
Email: [email protected]

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