Japanese Red Maples are surprisingly easy to
grow and maintain. They are generally winter hardy to about –20
degrees. Aside from their aesthetically pleasing appearance and ease
in growing, one well-placed Japanese Red Maple adds grace, elegance
and style to any garden.
Where to Plant a Japanese Red Maple?
Japanese Red Maples are perhaps the best plant to use as a focal
point. Avoid planting them too close to other trees or large shrubs
where they may become crowded out and lost in the mix.
Lace-leaf varieties (Weeping)
-Plant the lace-leaf
specimen in smaller beds to accentuate an entry way, or in rock,
patio, or water garden setting as a feature plant. Most lace-leaf
varieties will grow between 5 and 10 feet wide. Note:
The lace-leaf varieties will appreciate shade in the
afternoon, though this is not absolutely necessary. It is also best
to plant the tree in a well drained location.
Palmate varieties
(Uprights) - Plant these
taller-growing varieties as a specimen in beds or islands that
receive full sun or partial shade. It is best if the site is
well-drained. TIP: Scatter a few boulders near your
Japanese Maple and watch how much this brings the foliage and
texture out.
Planting a Japanese Red Maple
1. Dig a hole 2-3 times as wide as the root ball or container
that the maple is growing in (wider is better). Dig the hole no
deeper than the root ball or container when planting. In heavy,
poor draining clay soils, the hole should be just deep enough
that the top of the root ball is 4-6" above the surrounding
grade.
2. When hole is dug mix 50% (by volume) organic matter such
as Clay cutter, mushroom compost, or peat moss into the native
soil. Do not add fertilizer at this time (although a transplant
solution with Vitamin B1 may be beneficial.)
3. Place the tree in the hole and backfill with black earth
top soil. Once backfilled water the base.
Maintaining a Japanese Maple
Watering
– Keep soil evenly moist but well drained.
Adding peat moss at the base of the roots when planting may assist
with the draining.
When watering your tree make sure not to splash water on the
leaves during the heat of the day as this could cause unsightly
scalding and force the tree to use more energy to replace damaged
leaves. Be careful not to over-water a Japanese maple. Japanese Red
Maples will often let you know if their feet (roots) are too wet
when the leaves brown at the tips. Best to water in the evening or
early morning.
Fertilization
- Fertilize your Japanese Maple after new
growth has emerged in spring. Use organic compost or a light
application of 14-7-7 slow release Nursery & Landscape fertilizer.
Pruning
- Japanese maples may be pruned during the
winter months. Remember, Japanese maples are meant to look natural.
Major pruning is best accomplished when the tree is young. A good
option is to limb up lace leaf on palmate varieties so that some
trunk will show.
Winterization
– To prevent damage from winter winds, it
is best to wrap your Japanese Maple with burlap from early November
to late March. 