Botanic Garden >> Gardening > >> Question and Answer >> Seeding and Propagation

Japanese Red Maple Propagation: Grafting vs. Cuttings

Understanding Rootstock and Grafting

Japanese maples are typically grafted onto hardy maple rootstock. A gardener asked about rooting cuttings from a 'Red Emperor' and grafting onto a rootstock that survived after the scion died.

Expert Referral

For detailed grafting and rootstock advice, consult a tree specialist like Jim Hyland (U.S. Forestry Service experience). Access via the Trees forum.

What to Expect from Cuttings

Rooted cuttings from a grafted tree will produce the scion variety (Red Emperor), not the rootstock. However, cuttings can be difficult; grafting is more reliable for Japanese maples.

Seeding and Propagation: Japanese Maple Sunscald/Herbicide Damage: Environmental Stress Diagnosis; Phyllosticta Leaf Spot on Japanese Maple: Cosmetic Late-Season Fungus; Wax Scale on Japanese Maple: Identifying the White Domes and Timing Your Treatment; Weed Whacker Damage to Japanese Maple: Grafting Wax and Borer Protection; Valuing a Damaged Dwarf Japanese Maple: Need Certified Arborist Appraisal; Japanese Red Maple and Japanese Beetles: Manageable Risk; Minor Leaf Spots on Young Japanese Maple; Diagnosing Leaf Scorch on a Japanese Maple: Watering, Sun, and Hot Tub Chemicals; Japanese Maple Leaf Scorch: Recovery and Prevention; Japanese Maple 'Bloodgood': The Classic Burgundy-Red Cultivar

Garden Articles

Japanese Red Lace Maple Not Leafing Out After Harsh Winter

Transplanting a 10–15 Year Old Japanese Red Maple Without a Tree Spade

Transplanting Japanese Maple in Summer: Emergency Protocol

Reviving a Transplanted Japanese Red Maple in Shock

Japanese Maple Freeze Damage: Spring and Fall Fertilizing

Yellow Fungus on Japanese Maple Branches: Likely Wood Rot, Not Surface Fungus

Red Japanese Maple Tree Care and Maintenance

Plants

Japanese Maple Honeydew and Sooty Mold: Aphid or Scale Infestation

Maple Tree Top Dieback: Root Competition and Mulch Solution

Diagnosing Browning Leaves on a Japanese Dwarf Red Maple

Managing Rootstock Suckers on a Grafted Japanese Maple

Common Problems with Japanese Red Maple Trees

How to Grow a Japanese Red Maple Tree

Japanese Maple 'Ever Red': Weeping Dwarf with Persistent Deep Red Foliage