Japanese maples are thirsty trees with shallow roots that cannot hold much moisture, which is why it is important to know how to water them properly before the summer heat arrives. Once the hot weather begins, Japanese maples can dry out quickly, leading to them becoming stressed and wilting which can damage their beautiful leaves.
To stay healthy, Japanese maples generally need to be watered three times a week, but now in May is also the perfect time to prepare the soil so you are not constantly hovering around them with a watering can. The gardening experts at Wayside Gardens have shared a simple way to keep Japanese maples watered: Cover their soil with a good layer of mulch.
The expert said: “Apply a layer of organic mulch around the base of the tree, extending out to the drip line.
“Mulch helps retain soil moisture and keeps roots cool. Aim for a mulch layer about two to four inches thick, but avoid piling mulch against the trunk to prevent moisture-related diseases.”
Mulching is a simple gardening practice that involves covering the soil around a plant with organic material. This material breaks down over time to help retain moisture and enrich the soil with nutrients.
Mulching helps trap moisture in the soil, which reduces stress on Japanese maple roots, so they do not need to be watered as frequently.
It acts as a shield to slow down water evaporation, but also helps keep the soil soft so it can easily absorb more moisture instead of running off the surface.
What’s fantastic about mulching is that it not only keeps your Japanese maple hydrated, but it also adds nutrients to the soil and can even smother weeds to help the tree grow stronger and healthier leaves.
Wood chips and pine needles are the best mulches for Japanese maples to keep them hydrated, but you can also use shredded pine bark, which will slowly break down over time and add nutrients to the soil.
Do not use stone mulches like pebbles as they cannot hold any water, and also try to avoid fresh bark as it can leech nitrogen out of the soil, which is the nutrient needed to help leaves grow properly.
When mulching, keep a few inches around the trunk clear, as this area can easily become waterlogged and lead to fungal diseases.
Once your Japanese maple has been mulched, it should stay healthy throughout the summer, but keep an eye on it for any signs of stress.
The expert said, “If leaves become dry, crispy, and brown, it’s a sign your tree may be dehydrated. Conversely, yellowing leaves or a soggy base might indicate overwatering.”
If your Japanese maple continues to struggle with staying hydrated in the scorching summer heat, consider relocating it to a shadier spot in your garden or planting taller trees or plants around it as a more permanent way to protect it from the sun.