How do you care for Japanese maple trees?

Care for a Japanese maple tree by placing it in a good location, preparing the soil, mulching the soil, watering and fertilizing the tree, and pruning the branches. You need mulch, fertilizer and pruning shears.

1. Choose a good planting site

   Choose a location for the tree that is shaded part of the day with a windbreak. Too much direct sunlight can scorch the leaves. It needs at least 5 feet of buffer space in all directions. The soil needs to be well-drained and loamy with a pH between 6.0 and 8.0.

2. Plant at the right time

   Plant a Japanese maple in spring after there is no longer any danger of frost.

3. Amend the soil

   Add sphagnum peat or limestone to the soil to lower or raise the pH to the necessary level. Work a layer of compost into the top 12 inches of soil to improve soil drainage.

4. Plant the tree

   Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball. Place the tree in the hole, and fill in the hole with soil until only the top 1 inch of the roots is uncovered. Water the tree.

5. Mulch the tree

   Add a 3-inch layer of mulch to the soil above the roots.

6. Water the tree

   Water the tree once a week.

7. Fertilize the tree

   Twice a year, fertilize the tree with a 10-10-10 fertilizer.

8. Prune the tree

   In the late fall, prune crossing or rubbing limbs. Clear out small limbs and twigs from the center of the tree.