Nestled in the heart of Mestni park in Maribor, right in the Japanese Garden, stands an extraordinary tree - the Fan-Leaf Maple (Acer palmatum). This beauty is often called the Japanese Red Maple or Japanese Dwarf Maple, and it's easy to see why it's one of the park's most beloved trees.
Originally planted around the time of the post WWII era, this four-trunked tree has been growing steadily for decades. With its stunning red leaves in the fall and delicate spring blossoms. The maple is truly a year-round beauty. It thrives in the park's serene environment, reaching up to 7 meters tall and stretching out with a canopy that gives it graceful, wide shape. However, this majestic tree has its scars. After a devastating ice storm in 2014, one of its trunks broke, but don't worry - it didn't give up!
In fact, from the broken trunk, Mirjana Kumer, a talented woodworker, turned the wood into a charming stool, which is now part of her world famous collection of over 140 hand-crafted stools! You might even catch her collection getting into the Guiness Book of Records someday!
This maple isn't just special because of its resilience and the stories it carries. It's also a part of Maribor's botanic legacy, loved by visitors who wander through the park. Whether you're admiring its vibrant leaves or just enjoying the calm atmosphere of the garden, this tree is hard to miss.