Aptly named 'Coral Bark' Japanese Maple thanks to the pulsing brilliant coral red color of the winter stems. As the fall foliage catches fire, the coral stem color sets with cool weather in autumn and lasts to leaf emergence in spring. Younger stems (1-3 years old) of Acer palmatum 'Sango Kaku' bear the bright coloration; older stems simmer down to a smooth gray. This winter stems color is bold enough to stand on its own without a supporting cast, but a backdrop of broadleaf evergreens, fences or building walls does help the color to POP!