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Japanese maple origin

The Japanese maple is native to East Asia and is particularly popular in Japan, Korea, and China. In Japan, for example, it has been cultivated as an ornamental tree in gardens and parks for centuries. Due to its delicate leaves and impressive autumn colors, it is also a very popular ornamental maple for gardens here in Central Europe.

The Japanese maple is a plant species from the genus Maples (Acer) in the soapberry family (Sapindaceae). The Japanese maple is also popular as a bonsai or container plant.

Japanese maple care and location

The Japanese maple is relatively easy to care for, but requires a sheltered location. The ideal location is partial shade to full sun, protected from strong winds and intense midday sun. A spot with morning sun and afternoon partial shade is optimal. Young Japanese maples can also be sensitive to frost. The soil should be loose, well-drained, rich in humus, and slightly acidic.

Cutting Japanese maple

Pruning is usually unnecessary for Japanese maples, as they naturally develop a beautiful growth habit. If pruning is necessary, it should ideally be done in late fall or early winter. Dead branches can also be removed in winter. Generally, Japanese maples should be pruned selectively and moderately.

In this article you will find more information on the topic Pruning trees.

Fertilizing Japanese maple

The Japanese maple requires only moderate fertilization, as too many nutrients can weaken its growth. In spring, a dose of organic fertilizer, such as compost or horn shavings, can support its growth.

Here you can find more information about Fertilizing trees.

Watering Japanese maple

The water requirements of the Japanese maple depend heavily on its age, location, and weather conditions. Young trees should be watered regularly to allow their root systems to develop properly. Trees kept in containers should also be watered regularly. It's also important to avoid waterlogging.

Please also note the following general principles for Watering trees:

  • To ensure that the water can actually reach the root area, a lot of water should be given at once, ideally 75 – 100 liters of water in one watering. 
  • The water should be released slowly so the soil can absorb it optimally. If water is released too quickly, it will run off the surface, as dry soil can only absorb a small amount of water. Therefore, we recommend using tree watering bags. 
  • The tree bath watering bags release water drop by drop through small holes into the soil over a period of several hours. This allows for good moisture absorption in the root zone of the tree, where the roots can easily absorb the water. 
  • The bag is placed around the tree trunk like a jacket and zipped shut. It is then filled with water, releasing the water drop by drop over the next few hours.

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