How to Grow a Japanese Umbrella Tree

The spreading canopy of the Japanese umbrella tree bestows a graceful elegance to landscaping. These trees have a striking texture and bark that turns bright orange. They can be grown in shade or full sunlight. Just make sure your planting area can support a mature tree that can reach heights of 30 feet and spread to 15 feet. In addition, Japanese umbrella trees need to be pruned to allow for one strong leader (one main trunk). Grow a Japanese umbrella tree to contribute a striking ornamental pine for your yard.

Things You'll Need

• Soil pH test
• Shovel
• Lime or sulfur, depending on soil
• Mulch
• Pruning saw

Instructions

1. Conduct a soil pH test on your planting area. Japanese umbrella trees need to be grown in a pH range of 4.5 to 6.5. You can purchase a soil pH testing kit from your local county extension office. Dig a 6-inch hole to collect dry soil samples. Mail the samples off to the address provided and wait roughly three weeks for the results. Add lime to acidic soil and sulfur to alkaline soil.

2. Remove any vegetation from the planting area. Seedlings cannot thrive with competing plants and weeds taking the soil's nutrients and moisture. Hand pull the vegetation, because herbicides will harm the growth of the newly planted seedling.

3. Soak your Japanese umbrella tree in water for an hour before planting. Dig a hole that is twice the diameter of the root ball and at the same depth of the root ball. Place the plant in the hole and tightly pack the soil around the base.

4. Create a berm around the tree to aid in providing the seedling water. Make a 4-inch doughnut shape berm around the base of the tree. Fill the berm with mulch such as shredded leaves or bark.

5. Water the newly planted Japanese umbrella tree thoroughly. Give your tree 1 pint of water every day for the first week. In the second week, water the tree every other day with 1 to 2 quarts of water. Make sure the tree gets 2 to 3 quarts of water every third day for week three. After a month, water once a week if needed.

6. Prune any competing leaders from the tree when it has become established. Use a pruning saw to make a downward, 45-degree angled cut next to the tree collar of the tree.

Tips & Warnings

• Use this tree to contribute to the look of a rock or zen garden. The unusual umbrella shape is popularly used as a backdrop to a rock garden.

• Avoid burning your tree by not fertilizing the tree at time of planting or using compost.

References

• University of Texas:
• University of Texas: Planting a Tree