It has deep green faintly bloomed young branches which develop fine vertical white stripes. The foliage is also rich green, but the leaf veins are rust coloured. Hence the species name rufinerve. There is a cultivar called ‘Albo-limbatum’ which is slightly variegated but it often reverts to type. Unlike some of the red snake-bark maples this species does not respond so well to pollarding or coppicing.

It can however be pruned in late summer into a picturesque shape. Most specimens are fairly small, so this is an easy task. The natural distribution includes the Japanese islands of Honshu, Shikoku, Kiyushu and Yakushima. Trees occur at up to 2500 metres elevation in mountain forests. It was introduced to Britain between 1879 and 1881 by Charles Maries for the Veitch Nursery.

All our stock if “lifted” to order, which means that they are “lifted” and packed the same day and sent off so delivery is made the following day hence you receive them as fresh as possible. They are well packed and they are able to stay in the bags they arrive in for up to 7/10 days out of any frosts but it is advisable to plant bareroot trees as soon as possible. We are able to give you a suitable delivery date after the order has been placed when we email your order of acknowledgement to you. Unlike other nurseries who usually say within 3-5 days we can give you a definite day.

As soon as we receive your order we can usually send these out within the week. We use a courier and a signature will be required UNLESS you inform us (in the comments box) of where you would like your goods left safely should you not be at home. It is possible to select a day (apart from week-ends and Fridays) when ordering.

Delivery Charges

We will send you a delivery date via email when we receive your order.

Very SMALL ORDERS between quantities of 1-15 in size 40/60 can usually be sent out via ROYAL MAIL (UK mainland only) for as little as £8.00. Your basket will still show £15.00 plus vat for delivery charge BUT if you put in the COMMENTS BOX that you wish delivery by ROYAL MAIL we can pick this up and change the payment when the order is submitted . All other order are priced as:-

• Orders up to £75 – delivery £15 plus vat
• £76 – £200 – delivery £22 plus vat
• £201 – £300 – delivery £30 plus vat
• £301 – £500 – delivery £40 plus vat
• £501 – £1000 – delivery £45 plus vat
• £1001 plus – delivery £50 plus vat

Scotland Grampians/Highlands do carry an extra delivery charge according to our couriers – we can advise on this extra charge.

Guernsey, Jersey, Isle of Man, Isle of Wight, Northern and Southern Ireland. It is possible for us to arrange delivery to these areas but we would have to arrange the cost with our couriers so please contact our office 01452 832100.