Japanese maples should look striking in summer, thanks to their fiery red foliage, but many gardeners accidentally damage or kill their trees by feeding them at the wrong time. Many gardeners tend to fertilise their plants in summer to help them grow to their full potential, but Japanese maples are actually very sensitive to the heat. It is far too hot in late June to feed these trees, as the salts and chemicals in fertiliser will burn the roots and leaves.
Instead, the gardening experts at Mendocino Maples Nursery have shared the last time you should fertilise a Japanese maple is in early May, and now in summer, it is more effective to mulch. They explained: “Mulch is a good friend of your maple. Mulch protects the roots from the heat in summer, the cold in winter and reduces the frequency of watering “
Japanese maples can really struggle in British gardens. They have shallow roots that sit near the soil surface and dry out much more quickly than most other plants.
They naturally grow in woodland areas of Japan where forest floors usually covered in leaf debris soak up a lot of water, which keeps the roots safe from the sun.
Mulching is the simple gardening practice of covering soil around a plant in organic matter. In summer, this acts as insulation to keep plants cool during the hot weather.
It is incredibly important to mulch Japanese maples, as it helps the soil retain more moisture, protects the roots from hot weather, and simply helps the tree avoid becoming stressed.
Using mulch will help Japanese maples keep growing no matter how hot the UK gets this summer, and natural mulches will break down over time to feed the foil so you will get a bushier tree without fertilising it.
How to mulch a Japanese maple
To begin, you will need to buy some mulch at your local gardening centre. The best mulches for Japanese maples are wood chips or pine needles, as they closely resemble the woodland soil of their natural habitat.
Next, clean around the base of the tree by removing any weeds or other debris. This helps the mulch sit better in the soil so it will be more effective at keeping the roots cool.
Then, all you have to do is spread the mulch in a circle around the tree, but make sure none is touching the trunk. Mulch retains a lot of water, and piling too much against the trunk can trap it, causing the bark to rot.
Instead, make sure the mulch is sitting in the soil around the planted area, and aim for a depth of about five to eight centimeters. Once the mulch is applied, make sure to water it thoroughly.
Your Japanese mpale should now stay healthy and cool throughout the rest of the summer so it will continiue to grow its beautiful leaves for the rest of the season.
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