Tree Quiz

Japanese Maple

Changing your colors with the seasons and resting in winter, you sprout wherever you land and keep a hard core.

Sheds them in winterSpread out wideHolds its shape

The Japanese maple is a deciduous tree with leaves shaped like an open hand, best known for its fall colors. Maple seeds have wing-like blades that spin like little helicopters as they ride the wind, landing and sprouting some distance from the parent tree.

Maple roots are said to spread fairly shallow and wide rather than plunging deep. Instead of preparing in detail beforehand, you tend to make the most of whatever conditions you find where you've landed. And just as the leaves fall in winter, you make a clear season for rest as well.

Wood from the maple family is hard and resists wear, so it has gone into floors, furniture and the backs of violins. Wherever you are, you keep the core of your own way of doing things. But because that core is hard, you can look a little stiff when you have to go along with someone else's way.

Strengths

Even somewhere new, you can get moving right away using what's there
You switch cleanly between times to rest and times to work
Even when the place or the people change, you keep the core of your way of doing things

Where you may stumble

You start without preparing and realize partway through that something's missing
When you need to go along with someone else's way, you get awkward
If an urgent request comes in during a stretch you'd set aside to rest, it throws you off

Sounds familiar, Japanese Maple?

Even on a trip, you bring the pillowcase you use at home
In a new town, you start walking before opening a map and end up asking passersby for directions
On a day you've declared a day off, you don't set foot outside until noon

Where you shine

An event somewhere unfamiliar, or a job with limited tools — whenever you want to make the most of what's there and still finish it your own way.

Tips for “Japanese Maple”

When the season changes, swap out just one of the things around you
On days you try someone else's way, save your own way for the next day
Let the people around you know ahead of time when your rest period will be

Matches

See every match in the Tree Quiz compatibility chart →

Easy together

White Birch — The White Birch also rests in winter and is among the first to spring up on open ground. The Birch, good at adapting, helps the Maple's firm way of doing things blend in with those around it, so the Maple can keep moving with its core intact.

Easy together

Bamboo — Bamboo also acts on the spot and springs back to its own shape when bent. Being around the Bamboo, which keeps spreading at the same pace all year, gives the Maple, with its clear season of rest, a nudge to get moving again.

May clash

Japanese Cedar — The Japanese Cedar keeps the same pace all year, prepares ahead and reshapes itself to fit requests. With the Maple, which rests with the seasons, acts on the spot and holds its own shape, the way of getting things done differs on every front, so the two tend to talk past each other.