Japanese Maples Trees are marvelous with totally different sizes, colors, and leaf shapes. It’s quite hard to describe the Japanese Maple because of how unique each plant is, but generally, they’re known to have finely-cut leaves, a delicate structure, and a brilliant color name fall season. Here at Local Tree Company we want to bring you articles on not only typical trees you will find through-out your town, but exotic trees that are especially unique!
Acer palmatum is often referred to by horticulturalists as Japanese Maples, however Acer japonicum is also occasionally referred to as Japanese Maples. The Acer palmatum is sturdier and bears red-purple flowers in spring compared to the japonicum. The leaves have five to nine palmate lobes and may come in green and red. However, during fall, these leaves will turn bright red, orange, yellow, or even purple. Some have broad lobes, and some have delicate and lacy lobes.
Japanese Maple Trees – Growing and Caring Tips
Japanese maples make excellent lawn trees and are perfect for shrub borders or patio containers like clay pots. You can even use the upright type Japanese maples as understory trees in gardens.
Overall, Japanese maples are great plants to keep and have a very appealing aesthetic. This article teaches you how to grow and care for these unique plants.
Growing your Japanese Maples
To grow your Japanese maples, you need a location with constant sunlight or partial shade. Although we suggest you keep it in partial shade because your Japanese Maple may end up having scorched leaf margins on young trees, especially in hot climates or during summertime. If you decide to put them in full sun, don’t be afraid because as the tree ages, you’ll start to see less of the scorching margins.
Japanese maples growing in a more exposed location to direct sunlight leads to intense color during fall, so you have to decide whether you want intense color during fall but at the expense of scorched leaf margins or smooth looking less severe colored leaves. They grow well in almost all types of soil that drain well, so you won’t be having any concerns when it comes to the ground.
They make a beautiful addition to landscape designs and are versatile and can fit in with almost any aesthetic. While they are known for being fussy, if you plant them in conditions that fit their needs, you won’t have a lot of problems taking care of them. They do grow, though, so being patient is very important.
Caring for Your Japanese Maples
Taking care of your Japanese maples is easy. Even during summer, when they’re most vulnerable, just providing enough water to prevent stress can sometimes already be enough. With the absence of water because of less rain, you have to water the tree a lot. Water the root zone slowly so that the soil can absorb as much as water possible.
If you want to get more intense colors during fall, cut back on the amount of water you give them in late summer. A layer of mulch (biodegradable materials applied to the surface of the soil)
Applying much is both the right way to conserve soil moisture and improve the soil’s fertility and health. It reduces weed growth and even enhances the visual appeal of the area if done correctly. Adding 2-3 inches of mulch helps the soil retain moisture and benefits with your Japanese Maples’ growth.
When heavy pruning your Japanese Maple, make sure to do it late winter before your leaf buds begin to open up again. Cut scraggly twigs and branches that define the shape of your plant as they are. Don’t worry about light prunes and small corrective cuts because you can do them any time of the year.
Japanese Maple Trees
Overall, Japanese Maples are relatively easy to take care of with the right parameters. There are a lot more complicated and difficult plants to keep. Taking care of your plants and getting good results is the most rewarding feeling like a plant enthusiast, and Japanese Maples are one of the plants that show off the most if you take care of it properly.
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