Japanese (sp?) maple planting advice

[Sigarms]

Last week had some heavy wind and rain (6" in less than 4 hours on the rain gauge).

Well, came home last thurs. night and the "big" bradford pear tree came down in front of the house. Spent all weekend and about 20 pickup truck loads later got it all removed.

Well, we have a Japanese (sp?) maple right next to the house, and was thinking of planting two more next to where the Bradford pear came down.

Now, new house, lots of trees in the 7 acres around the house, and before I bought this house, I have never planted a tree in my life, and still haven't (when my wife travels for work, shes even afraid that I'll kill all her plants).

Well, my wife is going away next week (for two weeks) for on site training in Vermont.

What I would like to do is surprise her with two new trees.

Keep in mind, I'm in N.C, hard clay under the lawn.

Any suggestions on planting a Japanese (sp?) maple?

What do I need to be aware of? Is the time of year right to plant one? How much water, soil... I know nothing, so any help would be appreciated.

 

[Bob_Skurka]

We have several different varieties of Japanese Maple trees. If you are planting a red leaf variety, make sure it gets plenty of sun for the best color. If they only get afternoon sun and no morning sun the leaves will start out red and change to near black then to green as the season progresses. . . they will grow fine, they just won't hold the red leaf color. Maples, in general are shallow root trees, they spread out just under the surface. Don't dig a deep narrow hole when you plant them, make it wide and somewhat shallower than you might do for a tree with a tap root. Japanese Maples are not too tolerant of windy conditions, but do very well in an open location as long as there is a windbreak.

BTW, fall planting, even as late as the end of November, is a better time to plant any tree than in the middle of summer. If you plant now, you will have to water them in very well and water regularly.

 

[millsnhills]

Open google.com and type in Japenese Maple care. You will find tons of information. I was always told they like dry legs/roots and to plant in a raise bed.

I have two planted in my front plant bed and bought the type that will droop.


Not sure which part of North Carolina you are from but in the triangle area there are many tree farms specializing in Japanese Maples.

 

[Richard]

I'm not recommending this but my father in law had one too close to his house & wanted it taken out.

Enter: my wife who decided we'd take it.

Enter: Brutus with gnarly front bucket

We hooked a tow strap several times around the tree (which was brushing the undersides of his eaves). Hooked strap to front loader and basically ripped that tree straight up & out of ground /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

Drove tree to our place as it was semi balanced on bucket (tree was probably 10' tall or so)

Drove to location, turned around & used hoe to dig hole big enough for the rootball i managed to have stick to it. Dropped tree into hole & crossed fingers


Today 3 years later tree is thriving.

Go figure... and the dogwoods I moved WITHOUT ripping them out, WITHOUT abusing them as I carried them, WITHOUT severing them from their rootball... have died

/forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

 

[RobertN]

There are some good resources out there. One is a good local nursery. they could tell you what you need for your local climate and soil condidtions. The other is the local Master Gardener office. They have University trained volunteers that LOVE to help people out with questions like yours. North Carolina Master Gardeners