The biggest factor that determines the health and well being of your Japanese maple is how you plant your Japanese maple tree. This article will teach you how to properly plant your Japanese maple in 7 easy steps.
Japanese Maples are some of the most beautiful and hardy trees in the world. Most Japanese maples can handle a fair amount of heat, cold, sun and drought. The biggest factor that determines the health and well being of your Japanese maple is how you plant your Japanese maple tree. This article will teach you how to properly plant your Japanese maple in 7 easy steps.
Japanese maple trees are admired for their graceful shape, delicate foliage, and brilliant fall colors. But what happens below the soil is crucial for the health and longevity of these beautiful trees. Understanding the root system of Japanese maples helps ensure proper planting and care.
An Overview of Japanese Maple Roots
Japanese maples tend to have shallow, fibrous roots rather than deep taproots. The bulk of the roots are found in the top 12-18 inches of soil. The tree roots spread horizontally, extending 1.5-2 times the height of the tree. For example, a 10 foot tall Japanese maple will have roots spreading 15-20 feet wide laterally.
While Japanese maple roots lack a deep taproot, some anchoring roots may descend 2-3 feet down Feeder roots vital for taking up water and nutrients are concentrated in the top 6 inches of soil The root system prefers loose, fertile soil and dislikes wet, compacted, or drought-prone conditions.
Root Spread Depends on Tree Size
The ultimate width and depth of Japanese maple root systems depend on the mature size and form of the cultivar. Here’s how root size correlates with tree height:
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Dwarf varieties under 10 feet tall may have roots only 5-8 feet wide.
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Small trees 10-15 feet tall often have roots extending 10-15 feet wide.
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Medium trees 15-20 feet tall can have roots spreading 15-20 feet wide
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Large specimen maples over 20 feet tall can have roots extending 25 feet or more in width
While dwarf cultivars have roots only 2-3 feet deep, larger trees may develop anchoring taproots descending 3-5 feet deep. But most absorption happens near the surface.
Planting Tips for Japanese Maple Roots
Here are some tips to help Japanese maple roots establish and thrive:
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Amend heavy clay soil with compost to improve drainage before planting.
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Space trees to allow adequate room for mature root spread. Avoid planting too close to structures.
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Water regularly after planting and in the first few years to encourage deep root growth.
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Mulch around the tree to conserve soil moisture and protect shallow roots.
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Fertilize very lightly to avoid burning delicate roots.
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Avoid soil compaction from heavy foot traffic near the tree.
Caring for Established Japanese Maple Roots
Here is how to keep roots healthy after establishment:
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Maintain 2-4 inches of organic mulch over the root zone.
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Water deeply during droughts to hydrate widespread roots.
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Prune carefully to avoid excessive inner foliage removal leading to sunscald.
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Control weeds that compete for water and nutrients in the root zone.
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Monitor for signs of root problems like slow growth, leaf scorch, or branch dieback.
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Avoid trenching, driving over, or major digging within the root zone.
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Aerate compacted soil to improve air and water infiltration to roots.
Are Japanese Maple Roots Invasive?
Japanese maple roots are generally not invasive. They spread wider than deep and are not prone to lifting sidewalks or damaging foundations. However, they may occasionally send up shoots some distance from the main tree. These can simply be removed as they appear.
With proper spacing and care, Japanese maple roots remain where they belong – providing sustenance to one of the most elegant small landscape trees. By understanding what goes on under the ground, you can better meet the needs of the beautiful canopy above.
Position your Japanese Maple
Once you have your hole, the next step is to position your Japanese maple in a way that sets it up for success and is aesthetically pleasing to you and the rest of your yard. This is mostly based on personally preference, but there are some things to consider. Japanese maples do grow phototrophically, meaning they grow toward the sun. Its something to pay attention to when trying to figure out the best position for your tree. You also want to position your tree at the proper angles to ensure that it grows properly. Something to remember, you do not have to place the root ball straight in the ground. If that is not the best position for your tree, the adjust it a little bit to find the perfect position. Your trees focal point also does not have to be straight toward the street. Decide where you want the best view to be and position it toward that spot.
Dig the hole for your Japanese maple
Apart from proper placement, digging the proper hole is the most important step in planting and caring for your Japanese maple. My general strategy is to dig a hole that is about twice as wide as the trees rootball, but only about 2/3 the depth of the root ball. This elevates the tree above ground level ensuring that the tree will have proper drainage and not sit in soggy soil. Japanese maples hate to have “wet feet”. You can adjust the depth of the hole up or down depending on the location of the tree. If it is a dry area where water may be hard to come by you can plant your Japanese maple a little deeper in the ground as long as you still keep the root ball slightly elevated. In wet, soggy areas I will sometimes dig an extremely shallow hole and almost plant the tree above the ground by bringing in extra dirt to surround the root ball.
Do Japanese Maples Have Invasive Roots? – JAPANESE MAPLES
FAQ
Do Japanese maples have deep root systems?
Regardless of variety, you can expect your Japanese maple to have a very shallow, fibrous root system that will peacefully coexist with other trees, shrubs and perennials as well as sidewalks and foundations.
How big is the rootball of a Japanese maple?
The standard is 11″ of root ball diameter for every one inch of tree caliper. Tree Caliper is the diameter of the stem, measured six inches from the soil level.
How deep should the soil be for Japanese maples?
In well-drained soil, the planting hole should never be dug any deeper than the height of the root ball, the planting hole should be at least twice and preferably five times wider than the root ball. Roots will grow more quickly into loosened soil, thus speeding up the tree’s establishment time.