The Japanese maple or Japanese fan maple (Acer palmatum) needs a sunny to partially shaded location with a permeable, loose substrate. The otherwise easy-care ornamental tree does not tolerate waterlogging particularly well, nor does loamy and/or calcareous soil with a high pH value.
The Japanese maple prefers humus-rich, loose soil
Prepare the soil well before planting
The Japanese maple loves sandy, loose, nutrient-rich and slightly moist soil with an acidic to neutral pH value. Before you plant the tree, you should prepare the garden soil accordingly:
- Dig up the soil thoroughly and loosen it up.
- Heavy clay soil is upgraded by mixing in peat or sand.
- In addition, well-rotted leaves should be mixed into the excavation.
After planting, mulch the root area to keep the sapling from drying out. Waterlogging, however, is not tolerated at all and should therefore be avoided as a matter of urgency.
tips
The Japanese maple - so called because of the characteristic shape of its leaves - is also great for growing in a container, provided you place the tree in special potting soil and ensure good drainage.