Japanese maples are commonlyused in bonsaiand are prized for their ease of care and beautiful fall leaf colors.
Japanese maple tree sizes can range from a miniature dwarf tree to a shrub to a small tree.
The shape can be round, mounding, vase-like, cascading, or upright.
It may also have a weeping form.
The Japanese maple tree is renowned for its striking leaves.
Plant Japanese maple in the spring or fall.
When to Plant
Spring and fall are the best planting times for Japanese maple trees.
Spring might be slightly more advantageous, allowing the tree more time to develop roots before winter.
It will need winter protection in its first few years if you live in a freezing zone.
If you get a tree for planting in summer or winter, do not plant it.
Keep it contained with moist (not soggy) soil until fall or spring.
Intense sun can cause leaf scorch, which looks like a brown rim around the margins of the leaf.
Its soil should be well-draining, acidic, and, compost-enriched.
Set the root ball in the center of the hole, slightly above the soil line.
Backfill what’s left of the hole with the same soil.
A larger variety might be more likely to get stressed if confined indefinitely.
Trees with higher stress levels are more vulnerable to disease or insect infestations.
Light
Grow Japanese maple in filtered sun to part shade.
Afternoon sun is rarely tolerated by any cultivar, often resulting in sunburnt Japanese maple leaves.
Soil
Japanese maple trees like moist, well-drained soil and compost-enriched soil.
Water
Although Japanese maples prefer well-draining soil, they also like to receive regular water.
The easiest way to regulate the soil’s moisture level surrounding a Japanese maple is to mulch it.
A newly planted tree needs water every 2 to 3 days for the first month.
After that, it needs water at least once a week, especially without rain or snow.
Some anecdotal information suggests that cutting back water in late summer intensifies fall color.
However, no scientific studies back the theory.
The trees can usually withstand moderate humidity.
Generally, Japanese maples do best in USDA zones 6 to 8 though some varieties thrive in zone 5.
Protect your Japanese maple from areas that experience strong winds.
Young trees will also need some winter protection in the first few years.
Instead, plant it with compost-enriched soil.
Trees with healthy foliage planted in rich soil with plenty of organic matter do not need annual fertilization.
If you should probably fertilize, do this in the spring.
Apply a slow-release granular shrub and tree fertilizer and mix it at half the recommended rate for landscape trees.
Do not apply liquid fertilizer, as it can burn the roots.
Start the mulch a few inches away from the tree trunk.
New plantings especially need mulch to help keep the soil moist and insulate roots in winter.
Mulch every one to two years, replenishing mulch over time.
Many cultivars stay under 8 feet.
Some notablecultivarsinclude:
Pruning
Japanese maples need very littlepruning.
Never give severe pruning to any Japanese maple trees younger than 10 years old.
Keep long, whip-like branches intact; they will grow beautifully in time.
For older, more established trees,only prune the lower branchesand remove any crossed branches to improve appearance.
Remove any dead, diseased, or damaged branches.
It involves joining the rootstock of a closely related species with thescionor upper stock of the cultivar.
Plant them in a container with adequate drainage holes since Japanese maples do not do well in soggy soil.
Choose a well-draining high-quality potting soil.
A terra-cotta pot works well as it wicks away extra moisture.
Repot once roots reach the sides and bottom of the pot or grow out of the drainage holes.
Overwintering
Mulching will help protect the tree’s shallow roots.
Japanese maples are hardy to USDA zone 5, but container plants need protection during the winter.
Move the container to an outdoor location shielded from strong damaging winds.
Aphids and mealybugs can be washed off with a garden hose.
Water the tree slowly but deeply to restore its vigor and repeat it regularly to prevent a recurrence.
The treatment consists of injecting manganese into the tree trunk(capsules are available from arborist supply stores).
Removing those branches can expose those areas to the sun, leading to significant damage.
Similarly, be careful about pruning trees when your Japanese maple is an understory tree.
If you must increase sun exposure, do so slowly throughout at least two seasons.
Sudden exposure to the sun will have detrimental effects on your tree.
Japanese maples have rather compact root systems that are not likely to damage a foundation.
What do cocktail parties and stressed trees have in common?U.S.
Department of Agriculture Forest Service.
How hot was it this summer and will it affect fall color?Appalachian State University.
University of Florida Extension.
