JAPANESE MAPLE TREES IN BELLEVUE, WASHINGTON
GUIDE TO JAPANESE MAPLE TREES
Japanese maples originated in Japan and have been cultivated for over 300 years. Over this time, they have been bred for wide diversity in forms, sizes, shapes, and colors. There are more than 1,000 varieties, making them one of the most versatile landscape trees available. With two seasons of fantastic color display, there's a Japanese maple for just about any landscape. Selecting, planting and caring for them is easy. Let our team of experts help you find the perfect Japanese maple at our Bellevue nursery.
TYPES OF JAPANESE MAPLE TREES
JAPANESE MAPLE LEAF FORMS
Japanese maple trees with variegated and multi-colored leaves need more shade than those with red or green leaves.
Trees with dissected leaves cannot tolerate as much direct sun or wind as palmate-leaved trees and need some shelter.
SELECTING A JAPANESE MAPLE TREE
Success with Japanese maples starts with planting it in the right location, which means light, space, and soil need to be considered before planting. We're assuming that the location is in USDA zones 5-8, which covers a great swath of the Pacific Northwest. The next step is to start by answering a few questions.
How will you use your Japanese maple tree? This will guide you in selecting the size and shape.
What leaf colors and leaf types appeal to you? This will help dial in which varieties of Japanese maple to consider.
Is there enough space for the tree to grow? Keep in mind that the sizes shown on plant tags refer to the size of the tree in 10 years.
Is the location adequately sheltered from winds? Strong winds can result in leaf burn due to rapid water evaporation. Root burn can also occur because strong winds can expose their shallow root systems and leave them exposed.
Does the sun exposure in the location meet the light requirements of the variety you want to plant? Observe how the light shifts throughout the day of your desired planting location. With too much direct afternoon light, leaf scorch can be an issue. Be sure to read the plant tag to know how much sun exposure is needed.
Does the soil have enough drainage? Japanese maples do not like to sit in standing water, so swamp-like conditions are a big “no”. If the location has clay or tightly compacted soil, you will want to amend it with material that loosens the soil structure, such as a soil conditioner.
Before you plant, prepare the soil. Japanese maple trees like slightly acidic to neutral soil with some organic matter and that drains well. Clay soils should be amended to provide more drainage. Japanese maples don't like wet feet, and poorly draining soil will cause root rot.
HOW TO PLANT JAPANESE MAPLE TREES
1
Dig a hole three times the diameter of the root system, with a depth no deeper than the original soil line on the trunk.
Prepare the soil. To encourage the root system to establish quickly, mix the the soil with compost or rhododendron/azalea planting mix (about 20% ratio of amendment to existing soil). Always use fresh material when amending your soil. Don't use soil from other areas in your garden.
If you're working with clay or deeply compacted soil, amend it with coarse organic matter like compost or a soil conditioner.
Quick Tip: Sawdust, wood chippings, or uncomposted bark should never be used. These materials will use up nitrogen that would otherwise be available to your Japanese maple for healthy growth.
2
Place your Japanese maple in the planting hole and position it so that the original soil line is level with the ground surface when planting is complete. Begin to fill the hole with the amended soil.
Before you finish filling the hole with the remainder of the soil, water the hole to help settle the soil that's around the roots. Fill the hole with water and allow it to drain completely. Once the water has drained, fill the hole with the remainder of soil. Add more soil as needed to ensure that soil line on the trunk is level with the ground surface.
Mulch with a 4"-5" layer of compost or mulch. Spread it away from the trunk. Piling mulch up against the trunk will cause it to rot.
Quick Tip: A layer of mulch over the shallow roots helps them to retain moisture and stay cool in summer heat. Mulching also protects the root system from being damaged by sun and wind.
3
Water your tree once more, so that the additional soil will settle.