Watering Your Newly Planted Japanese Maple
NOTE: The following instructions do not apply to watering Japanese maples growing in containers. Container-grown trees will require more frequent checks for watering.
If you plant a Japanese maple in the ground during the dormant season (late Fall through Winter), when the tree is without foliage, little if any watering will be necessary until Spring, provided there is sufficient rainfall.
If planted during the warm season, check soil for moisture content around the root ball by using the finger test before watering. If the soil feels moist, and the leaves of the tree are not showing signs of stress, avoid the urge to water. Maybe just water lightly. Continue watering deeply at least once a week unless there has been adequate (1-2") rain until the ground freezes.
During the following year gradually wean the tree off of supplemental watering, except for during the hottest part of summer or extended droughts. A Japanese maple can recover from drying out a bit by providing water, but not from root rot caused by too much water.
Other Tips:
- Leaves browning or blackening on the tips is most likely a sign that your Japanese maple is receiving too much water, though this can be caused by sun scorch. Always use the finger test to make sure.
- After the second year, eliminate the watering berm.
