The Best Fertilizer for Japanese Red Maples
- Need for Fertilizer. Mature Japanese maples do not always need to be fertilized because they have an extensive root system.
- Type of Fertilizer. Complete fertilizers contain varying amounts of nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium. ...
- Amount of Fertilizer. Base the amount of fertilizer to use on the amount of nitrogen that is required. ...
- Location of Fertilizer. ...
Full Answer
What do you need to know about feeding a Japanese maple tree?
SEE: How To Plant a Japanese Maple Here's a breakdown of what you need to know regarding feeding and watering Japanese maple trees... Evaluate Soil Conditions Though not absolutely necessary to do, before fertilizing your Japanese maple, the best starting point is a soil test.
How much fertilizer do you put on a Japanese maple tree?
Amount of Fertilizer Base the amount of fertilizer to use on the amount of nitrogen that is required. A general guideline to use for mature Japanese maple trees is 1/10 pound of nitrogen for every 1 inch of tree trunk diameter measured at 4 1/2 feet from the ground.
What kind of soil do Japanese maple trees need?
Japanese maples require well-draining soil and will do poorly in clay or wet soil. Most of the trees thrive in a site that gets some sun in the morning but shade in the afternoon. Both strong winds and hot sun can stress or even kill a maple. Maple species are understory plants in the wild, and excess sun can be very wounding to your tree.
Should I put mulch around my Japanese maple tree?
That said, I always apply a 1 to 2" layer of cured, shredded or chipped wood mulch or pine straw around the tree in spring. As the mulch decomposes it will add vital nutrients to the soil that your Japanese maples will appreciate. Mulch will also help to conserve moisture and suppress weed growth throughout the growing season.
What is the best fertilizer for a Japanese maple tree?
I recommend using a slow or controlled release type fertilizer. Commercially known as Polyon or Osmocote, these are the most common and both work very well on Japanese maples.
When should I fertilize my Japanese maple tree?
Fertilizer. Japanese maples should only be fertilized after they're a year old, or during the second growing season. The best time to fertilize is late winter or early spring. Japanese maples are naturally slow-growing trees, so stimulating rapid growth with a high-nitrogen fertilizer should be avoided.
What is the best fertilizer for a maple tree?
The best fertilizers for maple trees contain nitrogen. Nitrogen is one of the essential nutrients for growing and sustaining maples, so high nitrogen fertilizers are critical for fast and healthy growth. In truth, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium are ideal for a maple tree fertilizer.
How do you nourish a Japanese maple tree?
What to use for Japanese maple feeding? Try a controlled release type fertilizer. If you want to use slow-release fertilize pellets, don't just scatter the Japanese maple fertilizer on the soil surface since this results in sporadic releases. Instead, bore holes around 6 inches (15 cm.)
How do I keep my Japanese maple healthy?
Keep Japanese Maple Healthy in SummerKeep them moist – don't forget to keep the soil damp, with mulch and regular watering.Give them afternoon shade – when planting your tree, arrange for afternoon shade in summer.Choose a suitable variety – some forms resist burning better than others.More items...
Is Epsom salt good for Japanese maples?
Epsom salts also appear to help Japanese maples struggling through the summer season. Some experts believe that it is not the heat that hinders these plants, but months of watering with salty municipal water.
Is Miracle Grow good for maple trees?
Is MiracleGro Good For Maples? Many gardeners like to use a granulated MiracleGro designed for trees. Although it is not formulated specifically for maples, as is the Tree Help fertilizer described above, it still contains an appropriate mix of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium.
Are coffee grounds good for Japanese maple?
So maintain a humus-rich soil by applying coffee grounds. Coffee grounds are free at Starbucks. For a 4-foot-tall Japanese maple, I recommend applying 4 pounds of coffee grounds per tree per season.
How do I keep my Japanese maple red?
One factor to consider when you place your red Japanese maple is that they do need a little sunlight to maintain their brightest-red color. Too much shade minimizes the red shades. The leaves will not be as striking in the shade as they would be if the tree was planted in another area with more sunlight.
Why is my Japanese maple drying out?
There are several reasons why a Japanese Maple leaf would be dry and curled. It could be due to environmental causes, wind damage, or even high humidity (it can sometimes cause the tips and edges of Japanese Maple leaves to curl). Dry, curling leaves can also be due to bacterial and/or fungal diseases or insect damage.
Why are my Japanese maple leaves turning brown?
Japanese maple trees are often understory trees in their native habitats. Over-exposure to sun can result in brown leaves, a phenomenon also known as "leaf scorch."1 A hot summer can leave even established specimens that are too exposed to sun with brown leaves, especially if other debilitating factors are present.
How often should I water my Japanese maple?
Plan to water heavily twice a week during normal weather and three or even four times weekly in periods of drought. Whether your tree is young or mature, it will grow best in soil kept consistently moist by regular watering and mulching.
Japanese Maple Feeding and Care
A Japanese maple brings such beautiful texture and color to your garden that you’ll want to take top care of the tree. It isn’t as picky as you mig...
When to Fertilize Japanese Maples
It’s important to apply fertilizer to plants at the appropriate time. The first rule to keep in mind is not to start fertilizing Japanese maples to...
How to Fertilize Japanese Maples
When you start fertilizing Japanese maples, your goal should be to maintain a constant low level of fertility. This moderate fertilization practice...
What do you need to know about feeding and watering Japanese maple trees?
Here's a breakdown of what you need to know regarding feeding and watering Japanese maple trees... Evaluate Soil Conditions . Though not absolutely necessary to do, before fertilizing your Japanese maple, the best starting point is a soil test. Soil tests are done to determine soil pH and essential nutrient levels.
How to avoid scalding of Japanese maple?
To avoid leaf scald, when watering a Japanese maple, avoid splashing water on the foliage, especially during the hotter parts of the day when the sun is shining. If you have an irrigation system, run it early in the morning, just before or after sunrise.
How to stop weeds from growing on trees?
Avoid placing mulch at a thickness of more than 2 inches. Also avoid piling mulch up around the base of the tree, which can cause bark to rot. Keep mulch a few inches away from the trunk.
How deep do Japanese maple trees grow?
The root system of a Japanese maple tree may extend several feet deep into the soil, but the majority of the feeder roots responsible for absorbing nutrients are in the top 12 inches of soil. Spreading fertilizer on the soil surface is sufficient to reach these feeder roots.
Why are my Japanese maple leaves turning brown?
Note: If the leaves of your Japanese maple are browning on the tips, or wilting, this can be the effect of either dry or over-saturated soil. So, before watering, make sure to check soil moisture using the finger test or a moisture meter. If the soil is moist always hold off on watering. Thereafter.
Do Japanese maples need water?
When well-established, which is usually a period of two years, Japanese maples won' t require as much attention to soil moisture and watering. That said, in the absence of rainfall, and especially during the warm season, when trees are actively growing, even established Japanese maples may need supplemental water.
Can Japanese maples be planted in a landscape?
One Japanese maple can make a landscape. As you may know, Japanese maples aren't the lowest cost plants on the market, so you want to make sure to plant and care for them properly. Contrary to popular belief, when planted right and in the right spot, Japanese maples are surprisingly easy to grow and maintain.
How do I grow Japanese maple trees?
Proper fertilization is one of the keys to successfully growing Japanese maples. Although Japanese maples don't require a high amount of fertilizing, maintaining a low level of fertility throughout the season is necessary to keep your trees healthy and happy.
When should I stop liquid feeding Japanese maples?
Once you see good growth you can stop liquid feeding. IMPORTANT; Do not liquid feed in late fall or early spring. Liquid fertilizers encourage Japanese maples to grow instantly, and this is not recommended as early freezes in fall and late freezes in spring will cause damage or kill your tree.
Why is my Japanese maple tree weak?
Japanese maples look best and develop thicker stems when allowed to grow at a slower speed. Applying high amounts of nitrogen will cause excessively fast growth that will weaken the plant. Weak branches can lead to damage if you are located where icing during winter is a problem.
How to fertilize a tree with soil?
Bore several holes around the tree and divide the proper amount of fertilizer recommended by the manufacturer by the number of holes. Drop the fertilizer into the holes and fill the remainder of the holes with soil. Water around the tree and now the tree is fertilized for an entire year.
How to keep Japanese maples looking healthy?
To keep the plant looking heathy, you need to choose the right fertilizer. To encourage optimum growth and coloration in your Japanese maple tree it is important to provide the tree with the nutrients it needs.
What to look for in the right fertilizer for Japanese maple trees?
What to look for in the right fertilizer. Japanese maple trees make an attractive addition to the home landscape. They are known for their striking fall color, their elegant structure, and finely-cut leaf margins. The gorgeous fall foliage seen on Japanese maple trees remains on the tree for weeks and then spills onto the garden floor ...
How long does it take for a Japanese maple tree to grow?
Japanese maples, like most other trees, need to establish a solid, strong, root system after being planted before the homeowner can start a proper fertilizer regimen; much to the dismay of the homeowner this could take 1-2 growing seasons after planting a tree in their garden or landscape.
What is Happy Frog Japanese Maple?
One of the most highly recommended products for Japanese maple trees, Happy Frog Japanese Maple has a formulation that contains a lower nitrogen concentration (a 4-8-5 nutrient ratio) to support growth in the cooler weather Japanese maple trees prefer. Derived from feather meal, bone meal, cottonseed meal, fish meal, fish bone meal, alfalfa meal, ...
What is the role of nitrogen in a tree?
Nitrogen’s main responsibility in the plant is regulating vegetative growth.
What is the color of Japanese maple?
The Japanese maple (Acer palmatum) is a deciduous shade and ornamental tree with at least 19 known cultivars that display red and crimson colors.
Do Japanese maples need fertilizer?
Need for Fertilizer. Mature Japanese maples do not always need to be fertilized because they have an extensive root system. Watch for changes in growth patterns from year to year. If a tree's twigs grow fewer than 6 inches in a year or its leaves are smaller than normal, then fertilization may benefit the tree.
What is a Japanese maple tree?
By Nicki Wolf. Japanese maple trees (Acer palmatum) fulfill many roles in the garden. Some have a dwarf growth habit and make attractive bonsai trees, while others add beauty and shade as full-sized trees. These trees need special care for healthy growth, including fertilization.
How long does a Japanese maple live?
When taken care of and fertilized appropriately, the lifespan of a Japanese maple may be 50 to 150 years.
Does fertilizer harm Japanese maple trees?
Fertilizer for Japanese maple trees contains nitrogen, which -- when used close to creeks, streams and other bodies of water -- may run off and pollute the water. Examine your trees to determine if nitrogen run-off may occur in such a way that causes damage , and take the necessary precautions to avoid it .
Best Fertilizer for Japanese Maples, Silver Maple, and Other Maple Trees
The best fertilizer for maple trees is one that is rich in nitrogen. You can find the ratio of the nutrients listed on the fertilizer label of a respective fertilizer.
When to Apply Fertilizer for a Maple Tree
The best time to fertilize your maple tree is when all the leaves have fallen in the autumn. The roots of Japanese maple and other species will continue to grow in cool soil, until the temperature of the soil reaches 40-degrees F.
How to Fertilize Maple Trees
With regard to how to fertilize maples, remember your goal is to maintain a constant low level of fertility, which means applying low levels of nitrogen for your maples to grow at a slower speed.
Does My Maple Tree Need to be Fertilized?
You do not have to fertilize your maple tree each year, and fertilization that is not required or is in excess can damage the roots.
Using Tree Fertilizer Spikes for Maples
Fertilizer spikes are pre-measured fertilization products that release nutrients from the soil over time. Compacted soil can sometimes create a barrier that prevents the nutrients in the fertilizer from getting to the roots from the surface of the soil.
When to Water Maple Trees?
Watering is just as important as applying fertilizer to maples. You should regularly water newly planted trees during periods with little rainfall, about twice a week.
Final Thoughts
Maple trees grow without a fuss, as long as they receive the right amount of nutrients and water. You should spread a slow release fertilizer across the soil surface, and water generously around once eor twice a year.
