Expert: Mike Mascio - 1/1/2009

Question
will Japanese red maple winter over in zone 5

Answer
Kay, Japanese Maples will survive in zone 5 unless we get long periods of extremely cold winter. Japanese Maples are listed as hardy from zone 5 through zone 8 in the US. I live in N.E. Ohio, which is part of zone 5, and my neighbor has one in the front yard. We have had several winters where the weather has dropped to -10F for several days, and the tree has survived with no problem. Just be sure to insulate the base of the tree with straw each winter. That is usually all that is needed to protect the tree.

I hope this answered your question. Please write again if I can ever provide assistance.

Regards,

Mike