How to Grow Japanese Maple Trees
Japanese maples are beautiful trees that come in a variety of leaf colors and tree sizes. They are hardy and slow growing, making them perfect for landscaping projects. Japanese maples are often used as a specimen tree or focal point in fronts yards. Here's how to grow this lovely tree in your yard. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
-
-
1
Plant the Japanese maple in moist, well-draining soil.
-
2
The Japanese maple likes partial shade, especially if you live in an area with hot, dry summers. If the temperatures are moderate, a Japanese maple can tolerate full sun quite well.
-
-
3
Wait until after any chance of frost to plant a Japanese maple. Use support stakes to prop up any young, thin branches until they have developed.
-
4
Fertilize the Japanese maple in early spring. Use an all purpose, slow-release plant food.
-
5
Prune your Japanese maple when it is dormant, in the late fall or early winter. Remove any dead or diseased branched. Japanese maples respond well to pruning and can be pruned to control the shape or size of the tree.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Keep the level of water at the roots of the Japanese maple consistent.
Water them a little at a time but water often and water early in the morning or late in the day.
Surround the tree with mulch to help maintain the moisture levels.
Dwarf Japanese maples make ideal bonsai trees and can easily be grown in large containers.
Always water a Japanese maple after you have fertilized it.
Japanese maples are easy to transplant.
The delicate leaves of the Japanese maple can burn if they are exposed to too much direct sunlight.
Drops of water on the leaves of your Japanese maple can act as a magnifying glass and actually scorch the leaves in the mid-day sun.
Japanese maples can be damaged by spring frosts because they tend to develop their leaves early in the season.
You can grow Japanese maples from seeds. However, the seedling are likely to be hybrids and they may not match the parent tree's characteristics.
Resources
- Photo Credit http://www.nurserytrees.com/_themes/expeditn/Bloodg7.jpg
