Japanese Maple Tree Care

Japanese maple tree is widely used as a versatile decor, suitable for most gardens, yards and patios. It is a major part of the Japanese gardens. This tree is treasured for its leafage which remains beautiful throughout the year even during the fall season. The Japanese maple tree care is quite simple and easy and the outcome is totally breathtaking.

Japanese Maple Tree

Japanese maple trees (Acer platinum) are believed to have originated from the Asian countries of Japan, Korea and China. They are available in most parts of the world in around 300 different varieties and colors. Japanese maple tree is appreciated for its unique and finely textured 7-palm leaves, colored in varieties of red or green. The leaves grow in a very interesting way as they transform from an amazingly bright-yellow to an orange or red color. These trees have a hefty trunk and it is grown in multiple numbers.

Japanese Maple Tree Care

A rich, moist and well-drained soil quality is ideal for the growth of Japanese Maple trees. The exposure to the sun should be minimized as the maple leaves get burnt if exposed to the sun continuously. The soil should be kept moist during the summer season and during the dry season, the watering can be done with a hose placed at the base. It is a good idea to let the water in trickles instead of pouring directly. The base needs covering during the summer, to avoid the roots from rotting from the down pouring rain. They can be kept either in a shaded area or under a plant that grows fast to give shade. They can be shifted inside the room as they require minimal space and can be grown in a container as well.

Appearance of wood borers is a sign of the tree's ill health and these insects bore into the wooden stem making the tree vulnerable to diseases. Japanese maple trees are also infected by the aphids and the scales that cause leaf dropping and a honey like dripping from the tree. These trees are prone to all maple tree diseases such as black bark, fluid secretions, tar spot, fungal droops, leaf spots, broken twigs and manganese deficiency.

Japanese Maple Tree Pruning

The most important part of Japanese maple tree care is the pruning process. Before starting the pruning process, make a note of all the branches or twigs that needs to be pruned. Make sure that all the dead branches and sickly looking ones are cut off. The cutting of the new branch should be done at the point where the first two leaves of the branch are found. The tree becomes stronger and shows signs of health when it regrows after the pruning. And while cutting the branches, make sure that there are no crossing branches left on the tree.

The Japanese maple tree or any other maple tree can 'bleed' copiously if pruned during the spring season. They have to be pruned when they are at a dormant stage to avoid losing the sap or else it will kill the tree. They can be pruned during the late summer and the early autumn. The pruning of the tree should be done when the tree is young and it is always better to spread the pruning over a long period.

Whenever a branch is cut, use a sealant or a putty to coat the tree. It is very important to prevent the sap from leaking. The sealant will also help to heal the cut. A sharp pruning shear should be used as a clean cut will make the tree recover faster. A bleach solution can be used to clean the shear to avoid transferring any disease from one branch to another.

Japanese Maple Bonsai Tree

Japanese maple bonsai trees are very popular among the bonsai tree lovers. They come in two different colors consisting of a green colored Japanese maple and a red-colored one. Most commercial growers regard the red-blood colored Japanese maple bonsai tree as the most popular among the Japanese maple bonsai trees. A Japanese maple bonsai is watered in the morning, which makes the soil dry out by the end of the day. The soil needs to remain dry during the afternoon and at night to prevent the root from rotting. The amount of water retained in the soil has to be maintained to the minimum.

Japanese maple tree care is truly a wonderful way of using one's leisure time and it also gives a rewarding feeling. The beauty of the tree makes the extra effort spent on its care, really worth it.