Red maple or red maple (Acer rubrum) - not to be confused with the Japanese red Japanese maple - comes from North America and is widespread there. The deciduous tree, which grows up to 28 meters high in its homeland, is also a popular ornamental tree in German gardens due to its spectacular autumn color. In terms of care, the tree has few demands.
How do you properly care for a red maple?
The care of the red maple includes regular watering without waterlogging, reserved fertilizing with compost or organic fertilizer, careful cutting and a sunny location with heat and winter protection for young or potted plants.
How often do you have to water the red maple?
Red maple likes it fresh and moist, but by no means wet. On hot summer days you should water if necessary, but definitely avoid waterlogging. Excessive dryness as well as wetness prevents beautiful autumn colors.
When and with what should you fertilize red maple?
Basically, planted maples should only be fertilized very cautiously, which of course also applies to the red maple. It is best to provide the deciduous tree with a good portion of compost (€12.00 on Amazon) or another organic fertilizer at the beginning of the growing season and a second time around the beginning / middle of July.
Can red maple also be cultivated in a container?
Red maple is very suitable for keeping in a container, but then requires very careful care. This includes regular watering and fertilization as well as adequate protection in winter.
When should you repot red maple?
Specimens planted in pots should be moved to a larger pot and fresh substrate about every two years until they are about ten years old. Older red maples are repotted approximately every five to six years.
Can you cut red maple?
As with all maples, pruning the red maple should only be done carefully and carefully, as this group of trees has a strong tendency to bleed.
What diseases or pests should you pay particular attention to in the red maple?
Discolored or dried leaves primarily indicate care or location errors. In addition, red maple is prone to the dreaded verticillium wilt, particularly when waterlogging and root injuries occur, a fungal disease for which there is currently no cure.
The leaves of the red maple do not turn red properly or remain green - what to do?
The lack of color on the leaves is usually due to incorrect care and/or an unsuitable location.
Is red maple hardy?
Red maple is very hardy. Only young specimens and potted maples require winter protection.
Tip
Although the red maple particularly likes sunny locations, it tolerates heat poorly. Therefore, shading during midday can be useful.
