JAPANESE MAPLES

Japanese Maples were first introduced in North America in the 1820’s. They lend the aura of the orient when displayed in the garden or near a pond. Red varieties of the Japanese maple are more cold tolerant but still require care when dealing with our Wisconsin weather. Most Japanese Maples are hardy to –20 degrees, which makes them a Zone 5 plant.

Location:

  • Japanese Maples prefer dappled shade and often do well in a woodland setting. An east facing location where they will receive morning sun with afternoon shade is preferred. (If planted in an area that receives afternoon sun, their leaves can burn and looked scorched.)
  • They work well as an under-story tree.
  • They should also be planted in sheltered areas where they can be protected from strong winter winds and late spring frosts.

Soil Needs:

  • When planting a Japanese maple, it is best to remember that they have a shallow, fibrous root system.
  • They require a well-drained, organic soil.
  • They will not tolerate a heavy clay soil, as their roots will easily rot. They should not be planted where standing water after a heavy rainfall is possible. Low areas should be avoided.
  • It is best to plant them in slightly higher ground than the surrounding soil. This will insure that water can drain away easier.
  • Japanese maples should be mulched after planting, and surrounding grass should be removed so that there is less competition for nutrients. When mulching, use 3-4 inch of an organic material such as cedar, bark nuggets or leaf mold. Mulching will also help keep the soil cool and moist.

Watering:

  • Water young trees well until they are established. An inch of water per week is a good rule of thumb.

Fertilizing:

  • Japanese Maples are light feeders. If they are mulched with an organic material they will need less feeding.
  • It is best to feed them in the spring after the new growth has begun.
  • A fertilizer low in nitrogen is best.
  • Over fertilized Japanese maples can show symptoms of die back, poor fall color, or fungal problems.

Over-Wintering:

Since Japanese maples are not hardy to our area, it is best to protect them for winter. There are a couple of ways to do so:

  • The first would be to treat it like a tender rose for the winter. This method requires digging a trench deep enough to bury it in and then covering the mound with marsh hay. This method is the most successful.
  • The second would be to put a cylinder of chicken wire around the base of the plant and stuffing it full of marsh hay, covering the whole cylinder with a tarp just before the ground freezes.

Which ever way is chosen, it is important to wrap the trunk with tree wrap to prevent sunscald or animal damage. It is also important to water until the ground freezes.