tamukeyama japanese maple dropping leaves

This keeps freeze damage to a minimum.ĥ) Wrap Japanese maples with burlap (if you experience heavy snows or prevailing winter winds) for at least the first three years. Make the mulch ring with dead leaves, bark, wood chips or compost. Extend the mulch spread 2 to 3 feet beyond the drip line, (the tree’s outermost branch). Place the mulch 6 inches away from the trunk. Deep soaking will help to guard against water loss in winter.Ĥ) Mulch to insulate the roots with a 3-4 inch-deep pile of mulch built around the base of the tree. Go light and use low amounts of nitrogen to limit damage to new growth.ģ) Water heavily just prior to freeze-up. If autumn rains have been insufficient, give your plants a deep soaking to supply water to the entire root system before the ground freezes. Make the last feeding of the season at least two months before you expect the first frost. Planting near buildings helps stabilize temps – but look out for snow drop from roofs!Ģ) Do not fertilize into late summer. You can minimize weather problems by picking a good planting site with stable temperatures. Here are some tips to consider for winterizing your maple if you live where there are particularly severe winter conditions.ġ) Choose sites out of the wind as much as possible. The harsh effects from wind and ice are the two most important factors to keep in mind when protecting your trees. Typically maples can handle down to -15° F without much trouble, but when Japanese maples are young they may need some protection. Tips For Winterizing Japanese Maple TreesĪs winter approaches your maples are losing their leaves, going dormant and preparing for winter. It is meant as a guide to help you in the success of growing your maples.

Do not try to shape a Japanese maple because you can irreparably ruin its natural growth habit.Please realize that these instructions will not guarantee that your plant will survive in all conditions… Prune Japanese maples to ‌ remove dead growth‌ and to ‌ open up the canopy‌.Fertilizer is seldom necessary in newly planted Japanese maple trees, but a light application of compost or ‌ slow-release fertilizer in spring‌ before the foliage opens can help boost growth in established trees.A ‌ 3- to 5-inch layer of mulch‌ around the tree will help keep the soil moist and the roots protected-just be sure the mulch doesn't rest against the base of the trunk. Water only when the soil feels dry on the surface.

Provide at least ‌ 1 inch of water each week‌ during the growing season with a little extra in hot, dry weather.Basic Careĭwarf Japanese maple trees do not require much hands-on care on a day-to-day basis but they will suffer without any care. Tall trees to the south will also provide some light, dappled shade, which offers shelter from intense midday sunshine.Īvoid growing Japanese maple trees against an unshaded south-facing wall because the heat and light from the sun reflecting off the wall will damage them. Choose a growing location with a structure, shrubberies or a tall fence nearby that will block out prevailing winds. ‌ Shelter:‌ Japanese maple trees need shelter from strong, drying winds. Avoid poor, sandy soil as well as heavy, clay-based soil that drains slowly. In soil with poor moisture retention, a layer of mulch spread around the base of the tree will help keep the roots moist. ‌ Soil:‌ Japanese maple trees grow best in ‌ slightly acidic, fast-draining soil‌ with a lot of organic matter mixed in. A ‌ north- or east-facing bed‌ is best for these trees in all but the coolest climates. Choose a location with morning and afternoon sun or, in warmer climates, choose a growing location with partial shade. ‌ Light:‌ Japanese maple trees need bright light with some direct sun in order to produce and maintain the bright red foliage they are known for, but too much direct sun can damage the foliage. All dwarf Japanese maple varieties are steady, slow growers that need the right conditions to reach their full potential.

Tamukeyama japanese maple dropping leaves