Stems on low hanging branches can be removed at any time of year. Make cuts just beyond a leaf or leaf bud on the stem. Depending on the size of a branch, use hand pruners or a tree saw to remove branches. Before removing a branch, first check where it goes. Simply remove lower branches growing from the trunk to your chosen height. If you’re going the light pruning route, this is best with younger trees, before their branches grow too large. Light pruning is for shaping purposes and heavier pruning improves branch structure. There are a few reasons to prune a maple tree. Just be sure to make your cut beyond the dead part. Damaged or dead branches or stems can be removed when you see them. The sap loss doesn’t harm older, established trees but can damage young ones.Īny major pruning is best during summer, once all the leaf buds have already opened. Maple trees can be pruned in late winter or early spring, but this can cause excessive bleeding. With young trees though, it can help to create a denser and more attractive tree with better shade. A maple tree can actually grow absolutely fine without ever being pruned. Maple trees tend to bleed or lose a lot of sap when cut, which often scares people when it comes to pruning. If a self-watering pot sounds like something you could get on board with, have a look at our Australian buying guide for the 10 best self-watering pots. Only water if necessary to keep the soil damp. Maple trees planted during the cooler winter months also don’t need much watering. However if there isn’t sufficient rain, especially during the warm season when plants are actively growing, your maple tree might need a top up of water.ĭuring a drought, wilting leaves are a sign of a thirsty tree. Once your maple tree is well-established in about two years, it won’t need as much care in terms of soil moisture and watering. If the soil is moist you can wait to water it. If you notice the leaves of your maple tree are browning on the tips or starting to wilt, this can mean that your soil is either too dry or too wet.īefore watering, check the soil moisture using your finger. Deep soaking less often is much better than splashing just a little water on the tree every day.ĭeep watering promotes deep root growth and can reduce water loss by evaporation. If there isn’t sufficient rainfall, water when needed to keep the root ball and surrounding soil damp to moist. This usually causes soggy soil that can lead to root rot on some maple varieties. In average garden soil, you shouldn’t have to water your tree every day. Once you’ve planted a new maple tree in the ground, especially during the summer months, you can be tempted to water every day in order to grow roots. Don’t use 10-10-10 and other quick-release fertilisers. When fertilising your maple tree, use a slow-release shrub and tree fertiliser or a mild, organic plant food. When the mulch decomposes it adds vital nutrients to the soil.ĭon’t use freshly chipped wood for mulch – it should cure in a pile for at least 6 months, and avoid piling mulch directly against the base of your tree which can cause it to rot.Ĭheck out our guide on when and how to use different types of mulch for your garden. To conserve moisture during the growing season and to control weed growth, you can apply a layer of cured, shredded or chipped wood mulch or pine straw around the tree in spring. A good time to fertilise is in early spring after new leaves have just started to show. Younger trees will benefit from fertilisation to help them establish a good root system. They have an expansive root system which can access nutrients through the soil and from rainfall. Older and well-established maple trees don’t usually need fertilising. Avoid the use of raw manure around your maple tree. If you maintain good soil health this will be key to growing big and strong maple trees. You want to avoid dry, sandy or rocky soil. Maple trees grow best in soil that is moist, deep and well-drained and the texture should be fine to medium. Maple trees prefer an acidic to neutral soil ranging from 5.0 to 7.0 in terms of pH scale. Full sun means the tree needs a minimum of six hours of sunlight a day but can also cope with 8 to 10 hours of sun. Maple trees like full to partial sun or partial shade.
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