Maintaining Your New Japanese Maple Tree

Installing trees around your home is a great way to increase curb appeal and value. In addition, planting shade-producing trees around your house can insulate doors and windows, reducing cooling costs in the summer by up to 35 percent. While numerous trees will produce a sufficient amount of shade, the Japanese maple tree offers other benefits, as well. Of course, proper maintenance is essential to protect the tree's thick foliage and enormous shade. Using these tips, you will understand how and when to maintain your new Japanese maple tree.

Watering

You most likely have watered your tree a great deal after planting, but you should continue watering the tree and surrounding mulch. In warmer parts of the year, water the tree and surrounding much every other day. In cooler temperatures, water every few days. Make sure the tree's soil and mulch is moist most of the time to prevent the foliage from drooping.

Fertilizing

You do not need to fertilize the Japanese maple until after a year of installing. However, if the leaves and twigs grow less than 6 inches in a year, you should fertilize the tree before the fall season.

Be sure to use a fertilizer that contains nitrogen, since this is an imperative element for the growth and color of foliage. The fertilizer should also contain phosphorus, which keeps the foliage strong while protecting the soil under the tree moist and healthy. The Japanese maple's fertilizer should include potassium, as well. Potassium improves the tree's absorption of nutrients from the soil.

Pruning

The foliage of your Japanese maple tree has a unique shape that you most likely find attractive, but yearly pruning will be necessary to protect this design.

In the fall season, use pruning shears to trim off dead twigs, leaves, and branches. Place the blades of your shears at an angle on the branch or limb and use firm motions to snip away the dead growth. Continue making angled cuts to prune away the overgrowth, working your way around the entire tree. Avoid excessive pruning of the dead, dry foliage and limbs, since this will decrease the Japanese maple's unique shape.

Pruning off the dead overgrowth in the fall will allow the foliage to grow in a more lush, healthy manner in the spring. After pruning, surround the tree base with fresh mulch of pine straw.

The Japanese maple tree is a smart investment for your landscape's appeal, home value, and energy efficiency. With these tips, you will know when and how to maintain your newly planted Japanese maple. Contact a business, such as E & R Landscaping & Trees, for more information.