2 weeks Ago By Angela Patrone
Spring care for Japanese maple trees is essential to ensure strong, healthy growth after the colder months. Whether you have bought a young Japanese maple tree or a mature tree, proper care will help it burst into vibrant foliage. Gardening experts recommend adding a fresh layer of mulch to your tree, to not only boost the health but also the aesthetic of the tree.
Experts at Davidsan’s Japanese Maples claimed that “mulching is absolutely the most essential part” of the plant's care as it makes them “healthier and gives them a better colour” throughout the spring and summer seasons. They said: “It protects the tree during the winter, but even more importantly, it keeps it moist in spring and summer.” Mulching this tree will also mean you will need to water much less, especially the first year, and it gives you a bit of a safeguard if you forget to a time or two.
The experts noted that they only use cedar bark mulch, which “keeps the bugs away and is really a good water keeper”. However, you can use whatever mulch you like. Composted materials will immediately provide organic matter to the soil and help with aeration.
Do not use green bark products as mulch. Freshly milled bark that has not been composted will slowly rob plants of nitrogen when used as an amendment. Cover as large an area as you wish but keep it about four to six inches from the trunk and at least three to six inches deep.
It is important to only cover up to the root flare. The root flare is a swelling at the base of the trunk where the roots begin to spread out. It’s usually visible at or near ground level.
Martha Stewart also took to her blog to share top tips when caring for Japanese maples, claiming that “adding composted mulch is good to do in spring”. She added: “Not only does this look great, but it prevents weeds, gives the trees essential nutrients, and insulates the roots.” The soil needs to be consistently moist, so also look to water the tree deeply once or twice a week and make sure the soil is free-draining.
Maples do not thrive in clay, heavy or poorly drained soils. These types of soils can lead to root rot and bring about disease..
