Growth Habit & Size
Upright · Rounded
Upright full-moon maple; some sources describe a rounded-vase crown while others emphasize a narrower, columnar outline.
PUNGO MAPLES
Virginia Beach Japanese Maple Nursery
Moonrise
Acer shirasawanum
● In Stock
Cultivar Description & Characteristics
Moonrise is an exceptional upright small tree bred for its brilliant bright red spring foliage and robust heat tolerance. The newly emerged leaves open in a stunning glowing red before gradually transitioning into a rich chartreuse-green for summer. Autumn caps off the seasonal cycle with a magnificent second flush of bright orange and red colors. It provides a double dose of vibrant seasonal color in a compact package.
10-Yr Height
6.0
10-Yr Width
5.0
Seasonal Foliage Spectrum
Spring: Bright Red
Summer: Chartreuse-Green
Fall: Orange-Red
Sun Tolerance Ratings
Morning Sun
9 / 10
Afternoon Sun
7 / 10
☀️ Morning Sun Guidance:
Stunning glowing red spring leaves create an immediate focal point.
☀️ Afternoon Sun Guidance:
Bred for robust heat tolerance, handling summer afternoon exposure well.
Image highlights cultivar traits and is not exact photo of available stock. Image is property of Pungo Maples, unauthorized use prohibited.
Get to know your maple
What do these growth habit terms mean?
More than one term can apply. Branch direction, crown shape and size describe different characteristics, and the outline can change as a tree matures.
- Upright
- Main stems and branches emphasize upward growth. An upright tree can still develop a broad canopy.
- Spreading
- Branches extend outward to form a broad canopy. The tree does not have to be wider than it is tall.
- Weeping
- Branches or branchlets arch or hang downward. The tree can still have an upright trunk.
- Rounded
- The crown has a rounded outline. This describes the overall shape rather than the direction of each branch.
- Dwarf
- A cultivar with a smaller natural stature than typical forms of its species. Dwarf describes size, not branch direction or a fixed height limit; it does not automatically mean slow growth.
For example: Bloodgood can grow upright while developing a broad, rounded canopy with spreading branches.
Learn more: NC State plant forms · Bloodgood profile · RHS trees for smaller gardens
Roots & heritage
The story behind Moonrise
- Cultivar origin
- Brooks, Oregon, United States
- Discovered / selected by
- Carl A. Munn
- Introduction year
- 1988
Moonrise is the trade name for Acer shirasawanum 'MUNN 001', selected by Carl A. Munn in Brooks, Oregon. The United States patent describes a chance seedling of 'Aureum' discovered in a cultivated area, with its characteristics maintained through grafting. Canada's official variety report instead describes a spontaneous mutation of 'Aureum' discovered at a Brooks nursery in 1988. These accounts agree on the association with 'Aureum' but differ on how the plant arose; no controlled cross or pollen parent should be inferred. The Maple Nursery credits Carl Munn of Munn's Nursery with introduction, but a verified first introduction year was not established. The selection combines red spring growth with yellow-to-lime summer foliage and greater vigor than 'Aureum'.
Explore the sources behind this story
USPP16718P3 — original patent text: Carl Munn, chance seedling of Aureum, Brooks propagation; Google-reported expirationCanadian Food Inspection Agency — official MUNN 001 origin account, 1988 discovery, rights certificate 3883 and listed terminationRoyal Horticultural Society — Moonrise identified as trade name for cultivar Munn 001The Maple Nursery — introduction credited to Carl Munn of Munn's NurseryJustia trademark record — US MOONRISE registration 3080268, owner, goods and reported renewal statusUSPTO TSDR — official record lookup attempted for serial 76606879; record contents could not be retrieved
Cultivar information
Patent & trademark information
- Patent & Royalty Status
- USA: USPP16718P3, granted 2006-06-27; Google Patents reports expired 2024-10-14. Canada: plant breeders' rights, not a patent, certificate 3883; CFIA lists termination 2028-06-14.
- Registered Trademark
- MOONRISE — USA registration 3080268, serial 76606879, Munn's Nursery, Inc., live plants; registered 2006-04-11. Justia reports registered and renewed; current USPTO status could not be independently retrieved.
📊 Inventory and Pricing
● Live Data
Pungo Maples Onsite Inventory
| Size | Price | Status |
|---|---|---|
| — | — | AVAILABLE |
| — | — | AVAILABLE |
| — | — | AVAILABLE |
| — | — | AVAILABLE |
| 1 Gallon | $60.00 | AVAILABLE |
| 1 Gallon | $60.00 | AVAILABLE |
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