by Lydia Holley April 8, 2024
Japanese maples are some of the most colorful trees you can put into your landscape. There are many varieties and several forms—upright, weeping, dwarf, or trained as bonsai. They come in several different leaf colors and some even have colorful bark. They are fairly short for a tree, most growing to less than 25 ft tall, some much shorter.
Japanese maples will appreciate being sheltered from afternoon sun and strong winds. Plant them as an understory tree or on the edge of the woods. Do not plant too deeply. Try not to cover their roots with more than an inch of soil when first planted. Even though they require well-draining soil, they are not drought tolerant, so irrigation is a must to keep the soil consistently moist. Keeping their roots mulched will help protect them from the summer heat.
Their flowers are usually inconspicuous. With both male and female flowers on the same plant, you do not have to worry about pairing your Japanese maple. What attracts the most attention are the fruits which follow the flowers. These are shaped like wings, which actually help them fly as they spread their seed.
They are slow growing, with most only growing one to two feet per year. Most do not need to be pruned, but if your tree experiences die back, prune only in the winter. Japanese maples come in so many forms, sizes, and leaf colors, it can be fun to choose the one you want. Take care to choose wisely as Japanese maples are long living, some up to 100 years old.
If you want a stunning look, consider growing several Japanese maples of different colors and forms planted in a group. And if you really want to be the talk of the neighborhood, try frying your maple leaves like the Japanese do.
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