tending elder japanese maples

12 years ago

I have a few large maples that were planted in 1962. Two are on either side of the entry to my home. (one is actually tied and trained up and to the side of the house).
I'm rebuilding my front steps in stacked stone and planting some low ground-cover evergreens. The soil is very pale and depleted. The maples are gorgeous all year and have adapted?

My question is..., after gaining some confidence tending and pruning, should i be feeding a bit of something....or when planting the new ground-covers, while the soil is a bit disturbed and adding some good soil for their needs to survive, should i avoid anything?
I do have a few bags of aged compost and a worm bin.

Maybe something in the bottom of the planting holes for the maples?

Here is a pic of one just beginning to bud this morning.

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Comments (4)

gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
12 years ago
If the trees are doing well, there is no need to fertilize. And be very careful about disturbing the soil around the root zones. Japanese maples have very delicate and sensitive root systems that dislike disturbance. In fact, even quite slight disturbance can lead to some rather dire consequences.

So tread carefully when planting the ground covers .And the worm compost if used as a mulch around the base of the trees would not go amiss.
houstontexas123
12 years ago
i'd be careful when its actively growing. especially with such a large and beautiful specimen.

it would not bother it much during dormancy, i think that is when bonsai growers prune and trim the roots, repot, etc.
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sleevendog (5a NY 6aNYC NL CA)
Original Author
12 years ago
Thanks for responses. We had a snow cover last week so i put the project on hold and now back at it...
(after concentrating on my sugar maples and making syrup)
I did disturb a root but not so bad. The soil is dust and rocky. I'll just top dress after removing some of the larger rocks to re-landscape and not go much further.
CEFreeman
12 years ago
>>Japanese maples have very delicate and sensitive root systems that dislike disturbance. In fact, even quite slight disturbance can lead to some rather dire consequences. Note to self: Oops! Shhhhhh. Don't tell the 18 I just repotted & the 3 I ground planted. All had their sensitive root systems ... [ahem] disturbed.