Growing Japanese Maples

There are over 1000 varieties of Japanese Maple available to the home gardener, varying in height, texture, shape, and growth habit.  Leaf colour varies from green to pink to burgundy, with fall colours ranging from bright orange to ruby red and everything in between.  They are wonderful accent plants when used as a focal point and may be massed effectively in larger garden areas.  

Japanese maples can be characterized as either Palmate or Cut-leaf.  Palmate Japanese Maples range from 6-20’ tall and tend to be the toughest Japanese maples, both in terms of winter hardiness and sun tolerance.  Cut-leaf varieties often have a weeping, spreading habit are usually smaller than Palmate Japanese Maples.  Cut-leaf Maples are also a little more delicate, requiring protection from the hot afternoon sun and winter winds.

Japanese Maples prefer a sheltered location with protection from harsh winds.  Most varieties will be happiest in average to moist, well-drained soil.  In their natural habitat, Japanese Maples grow in the forest and are adapted to dappled shade and a humus-rich soil.  While they prefer to be protected from the hot afternoon sun, some Japanese Maples, such as the “Bloodgood” variety, will tolerate full sun as long as they receive adequate moisture.

HELPING YOUR NEW TREE ESTABLISH PROPERLY

For the first few years, it is important to provide your Japanese Maple with adequate care to ensure that it establishes a healthy root system.  Make sure to amend your soil when planting and use a transplant fertilizer such as Miracle-Gro® Liquid Quick Start® Plant Food (see our Planting Instructions Brochure for more detailed instructions).  Keep your tree well-watered for the first season to help it develop deep, strong roots.  Japanese Maples prefer a humus-rich organic soil.  Each spring, well-rotted compost can be added as a top dressing around the base of the tree.  Apply a 2’’ thick layer of mulch around the base of the tree in order to keep the soil cool and moist.

WHAT TO EXPECT WITHIN THE FIRST FEW YEARS

Over the first few years, you may see the leaf tips of your new maple brown and curl.  This can be caused by too much or too little water, or an underdeveloped root system.  Windy, exposed locations can also cause leaves to brown.  Pay close attention to the moisture level of your soil.  When the soil is dry down to about two inches deep, you can water slowly and deeply.

WINTER PROTECTION

Good site selection is your best form of winter protection.  However, all Japanese Maples will benefit from winter protection for first two winters.  Wrap your Japanese maple with burlap around t-bar stakes in order to protect it from the harsh winter winds.  A 2’’ layer of mulch around the base of the tree will help to insulate it through the winter.  Continue to water your Japanese Maple throughout the fall until the ground freezes to ensure that it will not dry out over the winter.