JM016 is a large, established Shishigashira Japanese Maple with the distinctive dense foliage and sculptural upright growth that gives this cultivar its common name, Lion’s Head Japanese Maple.
Shishigashira is unlike the typical open, delicate appearance associated with many Japanese maples. Its small, deeply divided leaves are distinctly curled and crinkled, growing in dense clusters along the branches. As the tree matures, these tight clusters create heavy masses of foliage reminiscent of a lion’s mane.
The cultivar is naturally slow-growing and compact, making a large specimen particularly desirable. Missouri Botanical Garden describes Shishigashira as an upright, slow-growing Japanese maple reaching approximately 7–15 feet over many years. Its bright green leaves grow in characteristic tufts along the stems.
JM016 is already well beyond the small juvenile plants commonly offered online. The photographed tree has a substantial established trunk that rises into numerous mature primary branches and supports an unusually dense canopy. Its strong vertical structure gives it immediate presence as a landscape specimen while leaving plenty of potential for selective pruning and refinement.
Throughout spring and summer, Shishigashira maintains rich green foliage. Autumn is when the tree changes character dramatically, developing brilliant gold and yellow foliage accented with orange, crimson and red.
Because of its naturally compact internodes, unusual foliage and dense branching, Shishigashira is also prized among bonsai growers. JM016's existing trunk size makes it particularly interesting as potential material for someone seeking a much larger Japanese maple bonsai project rather than starting with young nursery stock.
Individually Selected Specimen: This is not a representative stock photo. JM016 has been individually photographed, and the exact tree shown is the tree offered for sale.
Large, established Shishigashira Japanese maple
Commonly known as Lion’s Head Japanese Maple
Distinctive curled and crinkled foliage
Extremely dense foliage clusters
Slow-growing premium Japanese maple cultivar
Substantial established trunk
Strong multi-branched upper structure
Deep green spring and summer foliage
Exceptional gold, orange and crimson fall color
Excellent specimen for Japanese-inspired landscapes
Valuable potential material for large bonsai development
Exact tree individually photographed
Inventory ID JM016
Light: Morning sun with afternoon shade or filtered light
Water: Regular, consistent moisture with excellent drainage
Soil: Slightly acidic, organically rich, well-draining soil
Exposure: Protect from harsh western afternoon sun and drying winds
Growth rate: Slow
Deciduous: Yes
JM016 is a large, established Shishigashira Japanese Maple with the distinctive dense foliage and sculptural upright growth that gives this cultivar its common name, Lion’s Head Japanese Maple.
Shishigashira is unlike the typical open, delicate appearance associated with many Japanese maples. Its small, deeply divided leaves are distinctly curled and crinkled, growing in dense clusters along the branches. As the tree matures, these tight clusters create heavy masses of foliage reminiscent of a lion’s mane.
The cultivar is naturally slow-growing and compact, making a large specimen particularly desirable. Missouri Botanical Garden describes Shishigashira as an upright, slow-growing Japanese maple reaching approximately 7–15 feet over many years. Its bright green leaves grow in characteristic tufts along the stems.
JM016 is already well beyond the small juvenile plants commonly offered online. The photographed tree has a substantial established trunk that rises into numerous mature primary branches and supports an unusually dense canopy. Its strong vertical structure gives it immediate presence as a landscape specimen while leaving plenty of potential for selective pruning and refinement.
Throughout spring and summer, Shishigashira maintains rich green foliage. Autumn is when the tree changes character dramatically, developing brilliant gold and yellow foliage accented with orange, crimson and red.
Because of its naturally compact internodes, unusual foliage and dense branching, Shishigashira is also prized among bonsai growers. JM016's existing trunk size makes it particularly interesting as potential material for someone seeking a much larger Japanese maple bonsai project rather than starting with young nursery stock.
Individually Selected Specimen: This is not a representative stock photo. JM016 has been individually photographed, and the exact tree shown is the tree offered for sale.
Large, established Shishigashira Japanese maple
Commonly known as Lion’s Head Japanese Maple
Distinctive curled and crinkled foliage
Extremely dense foliage clusters
Slow-growing premium Japanese maple cultivar
Substantial established trunk
Strong multi-branched upper structure
Deep green spring and summer foliage
Exceptional gold, orange and crimson fall color
Excellent specimen for Japanese-inspired landscapes
Valuable potential material for large bonsai development
Exact tree individually photographed
Inventory ID JM016
Light: Morning sun with afternoon shade or filtered light
Water: Regular, consistent moisture with excellent drainage
Soil: Slightly acidic, organically rich, well-draining soil
Exposure: Protect from harsh western afternoon sun and drying winds
Growth rate: Slow
Deciduous: Yes
