Acer palmatum 'Alan's Gold' Japanese Maple

Acer palmatum ‘Alan’s Gold’ is a distinctive pinebark Japanese maple that pairs brilliant foliage with the character of an old, weathered tree. Fresh spring leaves emerge bright orange before shifting to luminous golden-chartreuse tones. Autumn brings another burst of color as the foliage turns orange and red. Its textured, pine-like bark begins developing around the third or fourth year, adding an increasingly aged appearance as the tree grows. For collectors who appreciate beautiful foliage and unusual bark, ‘Alan’s Gold’ offers a striking combination.

• Zones: 5–9

• Spring Color: Bright orange new leaves transitioning to golden chartreuse. 

• Fall Color: Vibrant shades of orange and red. 

• Expected Size: Approximately 12–14 ft tall in 15 years. 

• Bark: Distinctive pinebark texture begins developing around the third or fourth year, giving the tree a beautifully aged appearance. 

• Light: Sun to partial shade; morning sun with afternoon shade is a good choice in hotter climates.

• Suggested Uses: Collector’s gardens, specimen plantings, and focal points near a patio or walkway where its foliage and bark can be appreciated up close.

• Best Feature: The unusual combination of glowing spring foliage and rugged, ornamental pinebark.

• Garden Interest: Colorful spring and fall displays, complemented by bark that becomes more distinctive with age.