Unique Features: This smaller maple is native to central China and is adaptable to heat, cold, drought, wind and poor soil. This tree can give some of the appearance of a Japanese maple in their foliage and characteristic branching and trunks, and they will grow well in our area. It grows moderately into an upright, compact rounded form. The dense foliage consists of unique 5 lobed leaves. Each smooth-edged lobe has a single point and they are close to equal in size, which gives the leaf a distinct star shape. The leaves emerge a red-purple, and the Shantung is also known as the Purpleblow maple. The foliage then matures to a bright shiny green that holds its color in the heat, wind and sun of summer. In fall, the leaves kaleidoscope from a brilliant yellow to orange and finally, given enough time, to a vibrant red.