Waterfall Japanese Maple - Back Growing After Setback - July 2026

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In Summer 2023, I planted a low-grafted small Waterfall Japanese Maple about half-way back in our yard on the southside.  It was (at that time) my first green-leaf Japanese Maple and I planted it close to the front of the bed since it was small and growing close to the ground.  

A year later, a large tree limb fell from one of the mature trees in the yard, crushing this small ornament Japanese Maple.  Basically taking ALL of the limbs off this poor tree.  The canopy was cut off by 75% in an instant.  Not good.

I did the only thing I could:  leave the tree alone.  

By last Summer, the tree seemed to begin to recover and put on some new growth.

Looking at it today, I'm again seeing some new foliage growth and canopy expansion for the season.

Below are a couple of photos showing the current state of this small Japanese Maple (weeping) tucked in amongst some hostas and the stalks of a couple of Fall-planted Allium bulbs:

Waterfall Japanese Maple Recovering After Topping

Waterfall Japanese Maple Recovering After Topping

It is going to take a while for this to get to any material size, but that doesn't mean we can't appreciate it as it recovers along the way.  Once all the dahlias get to be big-enough to not need rabbit protection, I'll move a cage over to this tree to keep the rabbits off it for the next few seasons - and through Winter.  

I've moved on to buying (mostly) Korean Maple trees, so I'm not sure that I would buy this tree again.  But, there's something appealing about the lace-leaf look of this that I should look to bring into the garden via a different tree.  

Location: Downers Grove, IL, USA

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