How to Grow a Japanese Red Maple Tree
- 1). Purchase a Japanese red maple sapling from your local nursery.
- 2). Consider where you'd like to plant your maple sapling. Since it grows well in many types of soils and can live in sun or part shade, locate the tree someplace where its roots won't compete with other trees' roots.
- 3). Dig a hole in the soil that is twice as large as your maple sapling's root ball. Remove the tree from the plastic container and rub its root ball with your fingers to loosen the roots.
- 4). Place the tree in the hole and cover it over with dirt. Water thoroughly.
- 5). Water the sapling weekly to help it get started.
- 6). Fertilize the tree monthly or by applying a slow-release fertilizer. Use a balanced fertilizer or test your soil pH using a kit from your local garden store to determine what nutrients your tree most needs.
- 7). Prune the tree annually in the late winter to train it into a nice growing shape. You want the tree to grow taller rather that wider.
