how long does it take for a japanese maple to grow

Full Answer

How should I plant and care for a Japanese maple?

Plant your Japanese maple where it will be protected from strong winds (which can dry out the soil quickly), and avoid hot and arid sites. Extreme heat can lead to distress; keep the soil around the tree mulched and adequately watered during hot weather to minimize damage.

When should I prune my Dwarf Japanese maple?

• Avoid pruning the tree in weather hotter than 80 °F (27 °C), especially if the tree is located in full sun. ...
• Light pruning can be done at any point in the year except spring. The spring is when the maple has the most sap.
• Try pruning your maple about twice a year—once in winter and once in summer, preferably.

How tall does a Japanese dwarf red maple grow?

About 'Red Dragon' Japanese Maple 'Red Dragon' is called a dwarf tree, but it's more accurately labeled as 'compact' and 'slow-growing.' It can mature to 8 feet tall and wide, but after a decade of growth, it usually isn't taller than 5 feet.

Are Japanese maples fast growing?

There are many varieties and cultivars, but none of them grow very fast. Anyone looking for a fast-growing landscape tree should look elsewhere, but if you are seeking beauty in tree form, look no further. The Japanese maple is not a particularly fast-growing tree. It can add on 12 inches or so a year to top out at about 20 feet.

How quickly does a Japanese Maple grow?

This tree grows at a slow to medium rate, with height increases of anywhere from less than 12" to 24" per year.

How can I make my Japanese Maple grow faster?

Fertilize the tree in the spring of the following growing season with a low-nitrogen, organic 4-8-5 fertilizer. Spread the fertilizer over the soil beneath the maple tree canopy drip line at a rate of 1/4 cup for each foot of height. Give it additional fertilizer each month from spring to fall.

Are Japanese maples hard to grow?

Japanese Maples have a bit of a reputation for being finicky, but they're actually really easy to grow and care for once you get the hang of it.

What is the lifespan of a Japanese Maple tree?

Japanese maples typically grow just one to two feet per year (which is why it might be wise to buy the largest one you can afford). That said, under the right conditions, they can live to be over one hundred years old.

Do Japanese maple need full sun?

Ideally, they should be placed in a spot with dappled shade. Japanese maple foliage is prone to leaf scorch in hot and dry locations in full sun. Scorched leaves develop brown margins and often drop from the tree by mid to late summer.

Can I use Miracle Grow on Japanese maple?

Tip 3 I only recommend using liquid type fertilizer like Miracle-Gro® on Japanese maples during the first summer, and only to help establish the tree. Once you see good growth you can stop liquid feeding. IMPORTANT; Do not liquid feed in late fall or early spring.

Do Japanese maples need a lot of water?

These trees are quite drought-tolerant when mature, but like most young trees, they need regular deep waterings during the first few years. Plan to water heavily twice a week during normal weather and three or even four times weekly in periods of drought.

What is the best time of year to plant a Japanese maple?

Planting in very early spring or well into fall suits these trees just fine. But consider your climate. Planting in late fall may be just fine in the South where winter doesn't arrive with such a fury, but for you Northerners a hard freeze too soon after planting can prove fatal to unestablished trees.

Why is my Japanese maple not growing?

Water stress can also be a reason for leaves not growing on Japanese maples. Remember that these trees need water not just in summer, but in dry springs and falls as well. Another reason for leaves not growing on Japanese maples can be root related. Girdled roots can cause leafless Japanese maples.

How big is a 10 year old maple tree?

Typically, you can expect a ten-year-old maple tree to be between ten and 15 feet tall. On average, maple trees grow about a foot per year, which is an easy indicator of their age. However, most times, maple trees are moderate growers, so you won't see them grow faster than a foot and a half per year.

How deep are Japanese maple roots?

A root system of a mature 6-8 foot Crimson Queen Japanese Maple allowed to develop naturally without any restrictions can spread out over 12 feet wide and up to 3 feet deep. This is a huge root ball and probably not anything a home owner without heavy equipment would be able to tackle.

What is the fastest growing Japanese maple?

Tamuke-yama is the fastest growing of the cascading forms. It is also the most heat resistant and so the ideal choice for hotter, humid areas. The leaves are reliably purple-red all summer, turning crimson in fall.

What is the best fertilizer for maple trees?

The best fertilizers for maple trees contain nitrogen. Nitrogen is one of the essential nutrients for growing and sustaining maples, so high nitrogen fertilizers are critical for fast and healthy growth. In truth, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium are ideal for a maple tree fertilizer.

Why is my maple tree growing so slow?

This all indicates a lack of watering. To solve the problem, you need to water your maple more often. The soil around the tree should always be slightly moist or dry out no more than 1 to 2 inches deep. Always check the soil moisture before watering.

When should I fertilize my Japanese Maple?

Fertilizer. Japanese maples should only be fertilized after they're a year old, or during the second growing season. The best time to fertilize is late winter or early spring. Japanese maples are naturally slow-growing trees, so stimulating rapid growth with a high-nitrogen fertilizer should be avoided.

Are coffee grounds good for maple trees?

So maintain a humus-rich soil by applying coffee grounds. Coffee grounds are free at Starbucks. For a 4-foot-tall Japanese maple, I recommend applying 4 pounds of coffee grounds per tree per season.

What is a Japanese maple tree?

Japanese maples are noted for their lacy, finely-cut leaves, brilliant fall color, and delicate structure. Continue reading to learn more about how to grow a Japanese maple tree. Most horticulturalists refer to cultivars of Acer palmatum as Japanese maples, but a few also include A. japonicum cultivars.

What zone is A. palmatum?

While A. palmatum is hardy in USDA plant hardiness zones 6 through 8, A. japonicum extends the growing area into zone 5. This variety is also sturdier in appearance and bears reddish-purple flowers in spring.

How to keep weeds from growing in my garden?

Adding a 3-inch (7.5 cm.) layer of mulch helps the soil retain moisture and inhibits the growth of weeds. Pull the mulch back a few inches (7-8 cm.) from the trunk to prevent rot. Any heavy pruning should be performed in late winter before the leaf buds begin to open.

How to make a tree fall color?

Apply the water to the root zone slowly so that the soil can absorb as much water as possible. Stop when the water begins to run off. Cut back on the amount of water in late summer to intensify the fall color.

Do Japanese maple trees grow well in sunlight?

The trees grow well in almost any type of soil as long as it is well-drained.

Do Japanese maples need sun?

When you are growing Japanese maples, the trees need a location with full sun or partial shade, but planting a Japanese maple in full sun may result in scorched leaf margins on young trees in summer, especially in hot climates. You’ll see less scorching as the tree ages. In addition, growing Japanese maples in a location with more exposure ...

How Long Do Japanese Maples Live?

The Japanese maple tree lifespan varies depending on luck and treatment. These trees can tolerate shade, but hot, full sun can reportedly lessen their lifespan. The lifespan of Japanese maple trees is also negatively impacted by standing water, poor quality soil, drought, diseases (such as Verticillium wilt and anthracnose ), and improper pruning and planting.

How does a Japanese maple tree affect its lifespan?

The lifespan of Japanese maple trees is also negatively impacted by standing water, poor quality soil, drought, diseases (such as Verticillium wilt and anthracnose) and improper pruning and planting. If you want to enhance the lifespan of Japanese maple trees, give them regular irrigation, provide an annual application of good quality compost, ...

What causes Japanese maple leaves to wilt?

Japanese maples are highly susceptible to Verticillium wilt, which is a soil based disease. It causes wilting in leaves and kills branches progressively. Is my Japanese maple dying? If it has Verticillium wilt it is. The best you can do in this case is to nurture your Japanese maple with good soil, regular water and possible yearly injections to extend its life as long as possible. Test your soil for soil diseases before you plant a prized Japanese maple.

How to shorten the life of Japanese maple?

Kinked and circling roots will shorten the Japanese maple lifespan. Make sure the planting hole is twice as large as the root ball, and ensure the roots are spread outward in the planting hole. Also, make sure the planting hole is scarified so the new roots can penetrate into the native soil and that there is some drip irrigation at ...

What are Japanese maples known for?

Image by valery_green. The Japanese maple ( Acer palmatum) is known for its small, delicate leaves with pointy lobes that spread outward like fingers on a palm. These leaves turn fabulous shades of orange, red or purple in autumn. There are many interesting Japanese maple tree facts, including how long these trees live.

Why is my Japanese maple tree choking?

Test your soil for soil diseases before you plant a prized Japanese maple. Japanese maples have a bad reputation for developing roots that kink and circle around the root crown and lower stem , eventually choking the tree of its own life. Improper installation is the primary cause.

Can you cut the roots of a Japanese maple tree?

If you want to increase your Japanese maple tree lifespan, do not cut the roots. The best way for aggressive wood decaying fungi to enter and kill a tree is through root injury. Large cuts or wounds on the trunk or large branches are also easy targets for wood rotting fungi.

When do Japanese maple trees bloom?

Most people use them as specimen trees, although they are also used in bonsai. They bloom in spring, and this is when the red in their foliage is often at its brightest. The color darkens in summer to burgundy, or even darker.

How many seasons does a Japanese maple have?

Although the leaves can become even showier in autumn than in summer, the foliage is attractive for a full three seasons of the year. The leaves of this Japanese maple forms a rounded canopy in an attractive branching pattern: Rather than having a single leader, the plant will often have multiple sub-trunks.

How tall is a samara tree?

This common tree may reach a height of 20 feet (with a similar spread) at maturity but is a slow grower. Botanical Name. Acer palmatum 'Bloodgood'. Common Name.

What is the leaf shape of a Japanese maple?

The leaves of this Japanese maple forms a rounded canopy in an attractive branching pattern: Rather than having a single leader, the plant will often have multiple sub-trunks. Many liken the leaf shape to that on a marijuana plant. The palmatum in the Latin name is also descriptive of the leaf. As on the human hand, where fingers radiate out from the palm, "palmate" foliage bears lobes that fan out from a central point.

What color are Japanese maples?

Varieties of Japanese Maples. Red is the most common color for Japanese maples, although there are also various choices in other colors. Acer shirasawanum 'Aureum' (Golden Full Moon): Produces lime-to-chartreuse-tinged golden leaves; in fall, leaves turn orange and red .

When do Acer palmatum leaves turn green?

Acer palmatum 'Beni-kawa': Leaves emerge in spring as rich green with slight red edges, then turn deeper green in summer before turning yellow and shedding in fall

How do I care for a sage tree?

Water the leaves and branches of this tree semi-regularly, but only water the roots and soil when the weather has been hot and dry for an extended stretch. If the soil gets too saturated, it can cause root rot.

How tall do Japanese maple trees get?

An Overview of Japanese Maples. Japanese maples grow wild across the hills of Japan, Korea and into Mongolia and Russia too. As a wild tree it grows 20-35 feet tall, occasionally more, and usually has several trunks, rather than a single central trunk.

What zone do Japanese maples grow in?

In gardens Japanese Maples are hardy form zone 5 to zone 8, with some being hardy into zone 9. Some varieties will thrive in zone 4 as well. In areas that are too cold the branches may suffer from damage in winter and die, although often the main stems will re-sprout. In hot regions the main danger is heat and sun-scorch, which can cause the leaves to shrivel in summer. When this occurs trees will sprout normally the following spring. Growing trees in shadier locations and making sure they have sufficient water will normally prevent this problem in summer. In very warm areas there may not be sufficient winter cold to stimulate the buds to re-grow and this does make it impossible to grow these trees in tropical and sub-tropical places.

What is bonsai tree?

For some the highest use of this wonderful tree is to grow it as bonsai. This ancient Japanese and Chinese art uses living trees to create beautiful art objects that can grace a terrace or a dining table. In Japan, houses have special niches for displaying objects and bonsai trees are often brought indoors to show their beauty. Bonsai is a specialized form of gardening that is not difficult but takes some special knowledge. Any Japanese maple can be used, from upright to cascading, and the training enhances the natural beauty of the tree. If trees are grown indoors as bonsai they must spend some time outdoors or refrigerated in winter to keep them healthy. In Japan bonsai trees are grown outdoors and only brought inside for short periods to admire them. Just as they do in the garden, trees as bonsai become more beautiful and more valuable as they mature.

What is the most desirable tree in the world?

Japanese maples are the most desirable garden trees that exist. A tree in fall is guaranteed to turn heads and gather admiring looks and the enormous variety of leaf forms, colors and tree shapes means that no matter what your taste or space restrictions, there will be a tree for you. Some grow into small trees 20 feet or more in height, others remain as low shrubs reaching five feet only after many years of growth. They may be upright in form, pendulous or cascading, with red or green leaves and as well as their stunning fall coloring, many have remarkable colors on their new spring leaves too. There are also a wide number of varieties with red or purple leaves all summer, which bring a unique highlight to any garden.

How tall is a maple tree?

This is one of the fastest-growing maples and it will be almost 20 feet tall in ten years, eventually reaching perhaps 25 feet, with a rounded but upright form, perfect for the smaller garden. This is a tough, hardy tree that will thrive in light shade and it is the ideal courtyard tree.

How big do trees grow?

Some will grow into small trees perhaps 15-25 feet tall, while others, especially cascading forms, remain low and spreading forever and may never even reach five feet in high, although they can be much wider across.

How many different varieties of Japanese maples are there?

After thousands of years of collecting and breeding, there are at least a thousand different varieties of Japanese maples. Some are quite similar to each other and only of interest to collectors, but there are many unique and special forms of outstanding beauty which are very popular with all gardeners. The major areas of difference are:

How long does it take to grow a Japanese Maple?

And to be perfectly honest with you, I could take those plants right out of the box and sell them on the spot the day that I receive them. But I don’t because by growing them on for another year, two or three I can get a lot more money for them. Me? I’ll probably sell most of mine for $90 or more. I have some lower priced ones that I might sell for as low as $4.97. I only paid $1.35 for those so even at that price I’m making great money. But those who come to buy the $4.97 Japanese Red Maples are likely to fall in love with my more expensive plants.

How much room do you need to grow and sell Japanese maples?

A picnic table is approximately 4′ wide by 8′ long. In an area that size you can fit approximately 128, #1 containers. Most nurseries sell Japanese maples in #5, #7, or even as large as #35 containers. The prices usually start at $75 and go up to $350 or more per plant. And they have no problem getting those prices, but at the same, time those prices keep most people out of the market. Many people just cannot pay those kinds of prices for a Japanese maple so they are forced to do without.

How much does it cost to landscape a Japanese maple tree?

Landscapers love to use Japanese maples in their designs and they are more than willing to pay $150 to $350 for a nice trees. Landscaping is very, very expensive and people that are willing to spend $20,000 or more on a landscape want the best plants on the market. They also want plants that their neighbors don’t have.

How much does a Japanese maple cost?

The prices usually start at $75 and go up to $350 or more per plant. And they have no problem getting those prices, but at the same, time those prices keep most people out of the market. Many people just cannot pay those kinds of prices for a Japanese maple so they are forced to do without.

What zone do Japanese maples grow in?

Most Japanese maples do well in zones 5 through 8 which covers a large part of the United States. If you are zone 4 or below (brrrrrrrrrr) you might be able to do this, but I would consider it risky. If you are zone 9 or warmer, I think the sun is too bright and the heat too instense for raising Japanese maples.

Is Japanese maple hard to find?

But there’s a problem. Most Japanese maples are really, really expensive! And the rare, more interesting vaieties are really hard to find. Especially in the local areas.

Can Japanese maples be grown from seed?

Japanese maples are easy to grow from seed and other growers like me are always looking for seedlings they can buy. Seedlings with green leaves are usually sold to people who want to graft onto those seedlings. Seedlings with good red color can be sold just about anywhere.