Japanese Maple

I just bought a Japanese Maple, do I need to admend the soil when planting? The soil is mostly clay.

If your soil is heavy (ie: clay), it should be a amended with sand, bark, or other material to improve drainage, and the soil should be mounded to assure good drainage. Maples are very adaptable to soil types, so if drainage is good, the addition of compost for nutrients is all that is needed.

Frequent, regular watering will get your Maple off to a great start Maples are not deep rooted trees, so please remember to water often, especially during the first year (3 times a week, unless it rains). It is the single most important thing you can do to ensure yourself a beautiful tree.

A good mulch of 3 or so inches over the soil will help keep the soil temperature moderated and conserve moisture. Be sure to pull the mulch away from the trunk slightly to prevent crown rot and insect damage, especially in the South. Winter mulching is essential in zone 4 & 5 where the ground freezes. It is also helpful in the South during the summer to keep the ground cool.

Thanks for the info.

Great advice above, but we probably should clarify that the soil amendment needs to be done throughout the planting bed (and yes, preferably in a raised or mounded bed for drainage), not just in the planting hole. You probably know that already, but sometimes we tend to take these things for granted and we shouldn't. Plus, there might be novice lurkers out there who could think it's OK to amend the backfill just in the planting hole. In northern Illnois clay, you never-ever-ever do that.

Guy S.

In other words ammend the soil pretty wide - thinking about the width or spread of the tree in 10 years for example. That should be enough to get you started. Also, I've always been under the impression that sand is never to be used when ammending clay. I'd go more organic with the composts and peat moss, myself. Still, however, keeping your clay soil as native as possible and not ammending it too much. Your test will always be to fill your planting hole with water - walk away for 30 minutes, and if it hasn't drained, you still need to work on the soil structure before planting.

Dax

Amend wide and shallow, and high and wide is even better. Adding sand or gravel to clay makes something pretty close in texture to concrete. Not a great idea. And don't be too discouraged by clay. It isn't a bad soil to start out with, and once it's improved it holds moisture and nutrients very well. Good drainage and some pore space to allow movement of air and gases into and out of the soil are basically what most plants need to succeed quite well in clay.

Scott

Do all of the above, then don't get too attached to your Japanese Maple. This area is definitely not the prime growing zone for Acer palmatum. It's rare to see one come through multiple winters unscathed. Which cultivar did you buy?

Definitely as Kevin says. And as a note, give it afternoon shade or as understory plantings of filtered light/shade. Shade though unfortunately will dull the coloration of the red-leaf cultivars such as 'Bloodgood' or any other for that matter. And there are definitely Acer palmatum's that are of better choices than others for hardiness for us, and some include:

'Bloodgood'
'Emperor I'
'Seiryu'
'Dr. Baker'
'Skeeter's Broom' - a witches' broom of cultivar 'Bloodgood'
"Atropurpureum" - this 'label' is widespread as all the plants with this name are seedlings.
'Callico'
'Ichigyoji'

Also low growing palmaums:
'Crimson Queen'
'Kiyohime'
(I don't know my palmatum well enough).

Then, personally I think Acer shirasawanum and Acer japonicum is a tad bit hardier in all cases. And seed-grown always (or so I've been told) is even hardier yet because it's on it's own roots.

I'll be interested to hear what you've purchased as well.

Dax

And don't forget the other Asian Species! -
pseudosieboldianum
sieboldianum
more?

They have had a lot of Sango Kako (Coral Bark) at the HD around here (including the one in Glen Ellyn). I might give one a try when they go on sale later this year. I like the green palmatums.


Bill

That's the good thing about those big stores. At least 'Lowes' I know, gives full credit on a dead plant with their one-year warranty. Maybe HD has the same policy.

My Boss/Nurseryman here in Rock Island, IL tried 'Sangu Kaku' twice I believe. Every winter it croaked.

I wish you luck Bill.

Take care.

I have seen it listed on some sites & threads as Z5 tested while others don't show it making it. If it is on sale I might go for it. It all depends on the price. HD does have a guarantee but I have never tested it. With the amount of trees, shrubs, and perennials they sell that aren't hardy here, you would think they should at least list some as being not guaranteed. They had some nice Crape Myrtles there last weekend.

Bill

Crepe Myrtles are actually root hardy and should be considered as a perennial in zone 5. Lowes, gives you either a free replacement or credit for other plant material:)

Dax

They also have some nice sized Leyland Cypress in 10 or 15 gal for cheap. :)

Bill

That's good ordering on their behalf! NOT!

See ya Bill - and if you desire the look of 'Sangu Kaku', which everyone I assume does, try Acer circinatum 'Pacific Fire' - I don't know just how much hardier it might be, but I bought one this spring.

Dax

Oh yah, and good luck of course should you plant that palmatum. See ya!

That Pacific Fire is on my list Dax. Have fun at Oakstock and make sure somebody gets some pics to post of the mayhem.

Bill

We shall meet at another time, Bill. I'll graft some 'Pacific Fire' this winter so get in touch with me for sure next early summer.

Take care,

Dax

You da man Pickles. Tanks

Bill

Everred does well in zone 5. The soil is here is acid sandy which helps. Mulch with shreaded oak leaves if you can. I have a 7" ft planted as an understory tree. The color is dulled, however it never suffers any leaf scorch. Water, water, water if the drainage is correct. Also, the last two years I have been dechlorinating the water with a hose filter. I really believe it helps.

I believe you snapple.

Later Bill,

Dax