Advice on a JM for a Forest Garden

10 years ago

last modified: 10 years ago

Hello, I have been

bitten by the JM bug. We moved into our new house and 5 acres early 2014. The builders had to dig in new drainage for the basement and they left all the landscaping plants dug up in a pile. In there were 2 maples, an upright red and weeping green. Didn't plant the upright for a few months. I Made a bed near the corner of the house and planted it. As it leafed out I was amazed each day at its delicate bright red leaves. After that tree I decided to make a "Japanese Forest Garden" near our creek bank. I have most of that garden complete, but I need a tall centerpiece Japanese Maple for it. I have a Butterfly maple and the green weeping maple in front of planting area and a Beni Komachi behind it. So this signature JM needs to be rather tall. I have looked at many,many possibilities but i would like advice from people more experienced than me. My head is spinning from all the wonderful maples!

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Comments (9)

gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
10 years ago
It's not a big space for an upright JM :-( If I had the room for a single, large growing upright, I would pick Osakazuki, as it develops a great form over time and has arguably the best fall coloring of any JM. However, I think your space a bit confining for this tree - here in the PNW, Osakazuki can get quite large (20-25' tall and wide). Sango Kaku (coral bark maple) is another, slightly smaller possibility. I also highly favor Acer japonicum 'Aconitifolium'!!

I agree - too many to choose from :-)
Gardenchuck(8a, N of Seattle)
Original Author
10 years ago
There is more room then picture shows. And there are 2 small sycamore maples and a vine maple that can be cut down as needed. They're just fill-in space now : ). Really want a canopy over the front bed eventually. I have been eyeing Osakazuki, what would canopy width be in 20 years? Morning sun,afternoon shade. Bed is raised up a foot for good drainage.
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gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
10 years ago
last modified: 10 years ago
I would expect it to be close to its full, mature spread in 20 years - JM's seem to grow larger and faster here in the PNW than most other locations in the country :-)

If you intend to underplant this tree with smaller shrubs or perennials, do so at the time of the tree planting. And pick something that will not require a lot of division or the need for digging/moving down the road. JM's have extremely sensitive root systems and dislike any disturbance in their root zone. In fact, root disturbance can lead to some quite serious disease issues.
Mike McGarvey
10 years ago
How close are you going to plant to the Western Red Cedar, Thuja plicata?

Mike
Gardenchuck(8a, N of Seattle)
Original Author
10 years ago
20-25 ft away.
Mike McGarvey
10 years ago
There will probably be some root issues in the near future that will affect how much water and nutrients the maple will get.

Mike
Gardenchuck(8a, N of Seattle)
Original Author
10 years ago
The base of that cedar is 4 feet lower than the maple planting area. I backfilled in the whole area with dirt to level it. Not around the base of the cedar of course. Does that big cedars roots go deep or wide?
Mike McGarvey
10 years ago
They usually go pretty wide. As far as depth goes, that depends on the soil. They can also handle quite a bit of additional soil over the roots and even up against the trunk. They have the ability to sprout roots from the trunk if buried.

Mike
Gardenchuck(8a, N of Seattle)
Original Author
10 years ago
Well, I could always cut that down also. It's only 6ft in diameter!.....kidding.