Being successful with Japanese Maples is the same as being successful with real estate, it all depends on location, location, location. A proper location to plant a Japanese Maple sometimes requires being creative. Protection from late afternoon and evening sun will reduce leaf scorch, sun scald and control the amount of watering necessary to keep the soil cool and moist. Also plants under stress, are more likely to develop diseases and insect damage.
Providing the correct environment is crucial to reducing plant stress, which will allow your tree to remain healthy for many years of enjoyment.
Having property with large existing shade trees to plant your Japanese Maples under, makes a perfect environment. We call this filtered or dappled shade, and Japanese Maples love that type of location.
TIP 1 In southern states Japanese maples with red leaves prefer late afternoon and evening dappled shade. Although four to six hours of direct morning sunlight is beneficial to maintain the red pigment in the leaves. If you have an existing tree that had red leaves in the past but now the leaves are mostly green, try thinning out existing taller trees that may be creating more morning shade than necessary. In northern states dappled shade is beneficial but not absolutely necessary.
TIP 2 Japanese maples with green leaves prefer some late afternoon shade in southern states. In northern states full day sun is fine.
TIP 3 Trees with variegated and multi-colored leaves require more shade than the red or green leafed varieties.
TIP 4 If you are not sure how your tree will do in its home, you can temporarily plant the tree in the pot it is growing in, and see how it does. If the leaves don't show any signs of burning the location should be fine for planting. Although dont leave the tree in the growing pot to long a week or two will be fine, you don't want the roots to start growing into the native soil while still in the pot.
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