The Japanese maple ( Acer palmatum ) is a deciduous tree diagram from Asia with beautifully color in foliage . In outflow and summertime , leaves can be xanthous , unripe or bright garden pink , while autumn brings striking shades of vivid gold , crimson , orange and reddish - purple . Acers , as they ’re also address , come in many varieties . There are multi - trunk and single - trunk Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree , for object lesson , and a crying variety that ’s wider than it is marvellous , with dramatically sculpture limbs . Overall , the Tree range in size from dwarf maples that can be produce in containers on up to 25 - foot ( 7.5 - m ) giant star . And they sport a variety of different leaf configuration and silhouettes , too .
While Nipponese maple are slow - growing trees , one of the reasons they ’re popular is that they ’re easygoing to farm and do n’t necessitate a great sight of tutelage . Planting is best done any metre fromOctober through Marchin a partially shaded area protected from the wind . Acers do best in well - drain , loamy earth , since they have a shallow root system . Ideally , the soil should have a pH between 5.5 and 6.5 .
Once established , Nipponese maples postulate lilliputian in the way of watering , pruning and fertilizing . And they ’re not prone to insect plague or disease , either . Perhaps the only downside to this tree is that it ’s high-priced than many others .
Here ’s how to care for your Japanese mapleby season .
Spring
Japanese maple are most vulnerable in the outpouring , as they leaf out at the first breath of warmth . This means late - spring frost are a danger . If low overnight temp are augur , cover your tree .
Summer
Acers favour moist soil — not too cockeyed , but not too dry . To help stave in off summer ’s heat , mulch with 2.5 to 3 inches ( 6 to 8 centimeters ) of sliced hardwood barque to keep desiccation at bay laurel . Then piss profoundly twice a hebdomad , and more often if the tree is young or in a container .
While Japanese maples do n’t attract many insects , you may find aphid invade now , which will mottle their leaves . If you do n’t want to spray against the pests , you may try companion planting : petunia or nasturtiums be given to keep the aphid away . At time of year ’s terminal , brighten up on the tearing . This will enhance the colors in the tree ’s fall foliage display , which is just around the corner .
Fall
Some experts advisepruning your tree in former fall , while others recommendwaiting until the tree is in full dormant(generally November through January ) because flow pruning causes the tree to bleed sap . Whenever you decide to prune , keep the newspaper clipping to a minimum , trimming mainly all in leg , twig growing vertically and any branches that are crossing or rubbing against each other .
After pruning , mulch to protect from wintertime ’s freeze . Since the roots of your container - spring up maple are susceptible to the common cold , cover the pot in bubble wrap and place it on a brick or other protective object . Finally , pluck off any deadened leaves stay on .
As we order earlier , downfall is the best time to plant a Nipponese maple .
Winter
There ’s not much sustenance required for Japanese maple during the winter , with one exclusion . check that to suss out your tree after a heavy snowfall , as deep snow can snap branches . After such a violent storm , lightly brush the snow off the branch , guide maintenance not to break them yourself . If the branches are coated with ice , leave them alone .
