Optically, the more than 100 maple species may differ significantly. When it comes to their cultivation, the magnificent deciduous trees pull together. These instructions bring the fundamental maple care down to a common denominator.
How do I properly care for a maple tree?
To optimally care for a maple tree, you should pay attention to thorough watering when it is dry, allow the substrate to dry between waterings, fertilize ripe compost and horn shavings in autumn or spring, and carry out gentle pruning on annual wood if necessary.
What should you pay attention to when watering? – Tips for the casting technique
Maple thrives as a shallow root and is susceptible to fungal attack. Pay particular attention to these two aspects when watering the tree. How to do it right:
- When dry, water thoroughly over the entire root disk
- Let the substrate dry thoroughly on the surface between waterings (finger test)
- Don't irrigate the maple tree
Drought stress can also threaten your maple in winter. In dry, frosty winter weather, please water on mild days.
How to fertilize a maple tree?
With a portion of ripe compost and horn shavings (€32.00 on Amazon) you can help your maple grow. Apply organic fertilizer in autumn or spring and water abundantly. It is important to note that you do not rake the tree slice when doing this. Even the smallest root damage can cause the fatal fungal infection Verticillium wilt.
Is a pruning on the maple obligatory?
Maple has difficulty sprouting again from old wood. The second critical point is a strong flow of sap after the slightest damage to the bark. Since maple trees develop their perfectly shaped crowns on their own, regular topiary cuts are not mandatory. If necessary, cut back branches that are too long in the fall. If you limit the cutting to one-year-old wood, a maple tree won't mind the measure.
Field maple (Acer campestre) is the exception to the rule. This type of maple grows like a bush and tolerates pruning well. Field maple is very popular as a deciduous hedge with a summer privacy factor because home gardeners can use hedge trimmers several times a year.
Tip
Asian slotted maple impresses with its colorful foliage on the balcony. Thanks to their compact and slow growth, Acer palmatum and Acer japonicum thrive excellently in pots. When it comes to care, the increased water requirement is particularly noticeable. The substrate dries out more quickly in the pot, so watering is more frequent.
