How to Nurture a Japanese Maple Tree

Emperor

Japanese maple trees are beautiful, non-fragrant trees that need to be nurtured to avoid certain conditions and pests but they are generally easy to maintain. The history of this magnificent variety of trees otherwise known as the Acer Palmatum, goes back about 1,800 years to Japan, China and Korea. It has been successfully cultivated in Europe and the Western world with great success and makes a gorgeous accent tree that provides shade and turns magnificent colors in the fall. This is a slower growing tree that will enhance any area and if given the proper nurturing, will bring a gracious oriental beauty to your yard.

Things You'll Need

• Water
• Fertilizer
• Proper shade

Instructions

1. Plant the tree in a place where there are no there are no other heavily rooted trees or plants as the Japanese maples need soil that drains well and is not crowded with other roots. Plant on the north or east side of the house to ensure that it does not get the afternoon sun as well as protect it from any strong winds.

   Plant the tree in early winter to early spring and dig the hole large enough to hold the roots. Pat the dirt back down with your foot so the tree is at the same level it was in the container it came in. Avoid any fertilizer at this point to keep it from being burned and water well if the soil is dry.

   Some of the trees may need a stake to hold them up for a few years depending on how sturdy they are at first but check the ties at various times to ensure they are not too tight.

2. Put some well-rotted organic compost around the bottom of the tree in early spring. Ensure that it does not touch the stem of it and make sure it is covered up. If frost damages any leaves just cut them off and the tree should recover in a few weeks or so. Every few years, prune the tree after the leaves have fallen off, if there are diseased or overcrowded branches.

3. Prevent Japanese maples from being attacked by pests by planting them in a well-draining area. The other weakening factor is not allowing them to be in the hot sun in the afternoon. The pests that attack them in the weakened condition are botrytis and aphids. Aphids can be destroyed by spraying about a teaspoon of natural dish soap mixed with water on the leaves. You can also plant other flowering plants nearby which in turn will bring hover flies that feed on aphids.

   The brown spots of Botrytis turn to mold from being too wet in cool conditions or over fertilizing. Stop over watering it and prune away some of the middle of the tree as well as any damaged growth to let air get to it. If condition persists it can be sprayed with copper fungicide.