With their remarkable diversity of colour, form, and texture, Japanese maples are unlike any other garden trees. Their radiant beauty, and timeless charm add interest to any garden. To ensure your Japanese maple flourishes to the best of its abilities, gardening experts recommend one simple task in spring – mulching. Mulching is the gardening task of applying a thick layer of material placed over the soil and around plants, used to suppress weeds and lock moisture into the soil.
Gardening pros at West Coast Gardens instructed: “Whether you are planting a new Japanese maple, or caring for an established tree, you’ll want to add a layer of composted mulch or another organic material around the base of your tree in the spring. Mulch with bark or well-rotted garden compost after planting and every year after that.”
Not only does this make the tree “look better”, but it “prevents weeds, gives them essential nutrients to grow healthier, and insulates the roots”.
The important thing to remember when adding soil or mulch around the base of your Japanese maple is to look out for where you are placing it.
Ensure the mulch doesn’t come into contact with the trunk to avoid rotting and disease.
Make sure to keep the soil level at the same height as it was originally planted when you first purchased it.
Mulch should be only one to two inches deep around the tree, and the root flare should always be visible. The root flare is the base of the trunk that spreads out wider than the trunk itself. It’s the top part of the tree’s roots.
Aside from mulching, watering is key. Plan to water heavily twice a week during normal weather and three or even four times weekly in periods of drought.
Whether young or mature, your tree will grow best in soil kept consistently moist by regular watering and mulching.
Reduce the amount of water you give your Japanese maple in late summer and early autumn to encourage the most spectacular colour show in the autumn.
Do not let it dry out completely, but cut it back so that it stops producing more green leaves and begins its beautiful colour changes.
