The Best Place to Plant a Maple Tree
Locating the best site for planting maple trees requires knowledge of the maple species' average mature root system diameter. This figure allows property owners to choose a planting site for optimal root growth. Does this Spark an idea?
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Roots
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The root systems of maples and other trees can extend as far as three to four times the diameter of the tree's crown or foliage. Sugar maple crowns span 60 to 80 feet, meaning the roots may extend 60 to 160 feet out from the tree's trunk.
Considerations
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The best location for a maple tree often depends on the tree's specific variety. For example, sugar maples grow best in deep soils with adequate water drainage, while Japanese maples prefer areas that get sunlight in the mornings and shade in the afternoons.
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Warning
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Avoid planting trees near pavement, sewer lines, septic tanks, water lines and house foundations and basements to prevent growing roots from damaging these structures. Trees placed close to roads may also suffer root damage from the weight of vehicles and additional damage from vehicle exhaust fumes.
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References
- AgriLife Extension: Japanese Maple
- Cornell Sugar Maple Research & Extension Program: The Life of a Sugar Maple Tree
- University of Tennessee Agricultural Extension Service: Plant the Right Tree in the Right Place; Wayne K. Catterbuck, Donna C. Fare; 1999
- Colorado State University Extension: Healthy Roots and Healthy Trees; J.M. Sillick, W.R. Jacobi; 2009
Resources
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images
