Maple - Watering a maple tree

Content:

• Maple origin
• Maple care and location
• Cutting maple
• Do you need to fertilize maple trees?
• Water maple trees properly!

Maple origin

The maple (Acer) is a genus of deciduous trees in the soapberry family (Sapindaceae). It is widespread throughout the Northern Hemisphere and occurs in Europe, North America, and Asia. In Central Europe, the Norway maple (Acer platanoides), the field maple (Acer campestre), and the sycamore maple (Acer pseudoplatanus) are native. Maple trees grow in forests but are also popularly planted in parks and gardens. In autumn, the maple tree fascinates with its brilliant colors and its propeller-shaped seeds.

Maple care and location

Maple trees prefer sunny to partially shaded locations with nutrient-rich, well-drained soil. They are adaptable and thrive in both sandy and clay soils. Young trees should be protected from severe frost and intense sunlight during their first few years.

Cutting maple

A maple tree generally doesn't require regular pruning. However, you can prune it if you want to keep it in shape. The best time for pruning is late summer or early fall, as maple trees bleed heavily in the spring and can become weakened as a result. Dry, diseased, or crossing branches should be removed regularly to maintain the tree's health. You can find more information on this topic here. Pruning trees.

Do you need to fertilize maple trees?

In spring, a dose of organic fertilizer, such as compost or horn shavings, can support growth. Especially with young trees or those grown in containers, adequate fertilization should be ensured to promote healthy development. You can find more information on this topic here. Fertilizing trees. 

Water maple trees properly!

Watering is especially important for maples in the first few years after planting. The soil should be kept evenly moist, but waterlogging should be avoided.

During extended dry periods, additional watering is advisable, especially for shallow-rooted species such as the Norway maple. Japanese maple species are more sensitive to drought and require regular watering, especially during hot and dry periods. 

Please note that the Watering trees There are a few things to consider:

• To ensure that the water can actually reach the root area, a lot of water should be given at once, ideally 75 – 100 liters of water in one watering.
• The water should be released as slowly as possible so the soil can absorb it. If the water is released too quickly, it will run off the surface, as dry soil can only absorb a small amount of water. Therefore, we recommend using tree watering bags. 
• The baumbad watering bags They release water drop by drop into the soil through small holes over a period of several hours. This ensures even soil moisture throughout the entire root zone, allowing the roots to absorb the water well.
• Attaching and filling the water bags is simple and straightforward. The bag is placed around the tree trunk like a jacket and zipped up. Next, fill the watering bag with enough water so that, after further adjustment, no wrinkles remain in the lower area, and then let it fill. For trees with larger trunk diameters, multiple bags can be zipped together.
• Once the water has drained through, the bag is removed and can be used for additional trees. This saves water, time, and money.

A layer of mulch in the root area of ​​the maple can also be helpful to retain moisture in the soil. 

Here you can find the tree profiles: 

• Watering sycamore maple
• Watering field maple