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MAPLE OF THE YEAR
Back in 2015, our then-President Matt Nichols created the Maple of the Year award to recognize an Acer that is popular, reliable, and easily found in the retail trades—in other words, a tree that many members would enjoy having in their personal collections. Each year in the Fall, members are invited to submit their nominations with the top five presented for a vote. Below are the award winners since the program's inception.
This year a member told us about a 50 year old Japanese Maple that was reportedly the "largest and most well-formed in her state." This inspired our newest award category: the Heritage Maple of the Year. Stay tuned as we incorporate this into our process and website!
2025
Acer Japonicum Aconitifolium
Acer Japonicum Aconitifolium
Acer Japonicum Aconitifolium
Acer Japonicum Aconitifolium
Acer Japonicum Aconitifolium
1/5
Past Maples of the Year
Click each image to view additional photos
2024 - Acer Japonicum ‘Fairy Lights'
1/5
2023 - Acer palmatum ‘Lileeanne’s Jewel'
Acer palmatum 'Lileeanne’s Jewel'
Acer palmatum 'Lileeanne’s Jewel'
Acer palmatum 'Lileeanne’s Jewel'
Acer palmatum 'Lileeanne’s Jewel'
1/6
2022 - Acer palmatum ‘Seiryu’
Seiryu Fall
Seiryu Winter
Seiryu Leaves
Seiryu Fall
1/3
2021 - Acer palmatum ‘Geisha Gone Wild’
Geisha Spring
Geisha trees
Geisha Summer
Geisha Spring
1/3
2020 - Acer palmatum ‘Ō-sakazuki’
Osakazuki fall
Osakazuki summer
Osakazuki leaves
Osakazuki fall
1/3
2019 - Acer palmatum ‘Shishigashira’
Shishigashira fall
Shishigishira summer
Shishigashira spring leaves
Shishigashira fall
1/3
2018 - Acer palmatum ‘Shin-deshōjō’
Shin deshojo spring
Shindeshojo trees
Shindeshojo summer
Shin deshojo spring
1/3
2017 - Acer palmatum ‘Orangeola’
Orangeola fall
Orangeola summer
Orangeola spring
Orangeola fall
1/3
2016 - Acer shirasawanum ‘Moonrise’
Moonrise spring
Moonrise summer
Moonrise
Moonrise spring
1/3
2015 - Acer palmatum ‘Mikawa yatsubusa’
Mikawa yatsubusa 2
Mikawa yatsubusa 1
Mikawa yatsubusa 3
Mikawa yatsubusa 2
1/3
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