PLANTING A JAPANESE MAPLE ON A SLOPE
- If you are planting a Japanese maple on a slope, where there will most likely be good drainage, begin by digging the hole two times as wide as the root ball or conatiner the maple was grown in and to the same depth of the root ball. Place soil removed from planting hole below the planting hole.
- Next, mix 1/3 to 1/2 part organic soil ammendment, such as mushroom compost, with the native soil removed from hole and break up any clumps or clods as you mix.
- Next, remove your Japanese maple from the container it was growing in. You may need to use a utility knife to cut container off. Scratch the surface of the root ball to loosen the feeder roots. Do so gently so not to damage the root system.
- Next, place the rootball in the planting hole and make sure the top edge of rootball is at or slightly above ground level to allow for settling. Add or remove soil to bottom of hole if necessary to achieve proper height. Also, stand back away from the tree to make sure it is properly positioned. Rotate if necessary to achieve best position and level.
- Next, begin backfilling the planting hole with the soil mixture tamping lightly as you go to remove any air pockets. When the hole is half-filled, soak with water and then resume backfilling. Do not add fertilizer at this time (although a transplant solution with Vitamin B1 may be beneficial
- Next, use remaining soil mixture to build a water retaining berm around the bottom/lower half of the perimeter of the planting hole. This berm will help to catch water from rainfall during the first and second growing season while your tree is becoming established. After the second season the berm can be removed.
- Next, water deeply.
- Next, apply a 2" layer of aged, shredded wood mulch or bark or up to 4" layer of pine straw around your newly planted tree. Make sure not to place mulch against the trunk as this can cause disease or other damage - leave a 2" space between mulch and trunk.
- Next, stake your tree if necessary. Shorter trees usually do not require staking.
