Garden Care Guide

Japanese Maple Care

Acer palmatum

A slow-growing small tree famous for its graceful structure and striking leaf colors. It prefers partially shaded sites protected from the scorching afternoon sun and harsh winds, and moist, acidic, well-drained soil; it is used in gardens as an artistic focal point.

Hardy · -25 °C / -13 °F

Monthly care calendar

Timings are for a temperate Northern Hemisphere climate. In warmer areas tasks start earlier, in colder areas later; in the Southern Hemisphere shift them by six months.

January
  • Pruning: Light, careful pruning is done only to remove dead, diseased or rubbing branches. Take care not to spoil the natural form of the tree.
  • Plant protection: If there were problems last season, a dormant oil (Bordeaux mixture) may be applied.
February
  • Pruning: While dormant, remove dry, broken, crossing and inward-growing branches so that air and light reach the inside of the crown. Prune lightly and sparingly; large cuts are slow to close. Do not prune once the sap starts to flow, as the cuts will bleed.
  • General care: If the soil is not frozen and you have a sheltered spot, saplings can be planted.
March
  • Watering: Water a newly planted specimen more often than established plants during its first year, as its root system is still shallow.
  • Fertilizing: Apply a balanced fertilizer or well-rotted organic fertilizer once when it wakes from dormancy. It loves acidic soil; if interveinal yellowing (chlorosis) appears on the leaves in limy soil, prefer an acidic fertilizer.
  • Plant protection: If symptoms spread and treatment is needed, consult a licensed plant-protection supplier or an agronomist. Plant protection products are regulated; follow local rules.
  • General care: Good time for planting and transplanting.
  • Pests & diseases: Check the branches and trunk for brown, fixed bumps (scale insects).
April
  • Watering: If there is no rainfall, water every 15 days.
  • Plant protection: If symptoms spread and treatment is needed, consult a licensed plant-protection supplier or an agronomist. Plant protection products are regulated; follow local rules.
  • General care: Make sure it is in a sheltered spot so the leaves are not damaged in windy weather.
  • Pests & diseases: Look for aphids (green or black clusters of small insects) on fresh shoot tips. If there are only a few, you can knock them off with a strong jet of water.
May
  • Watering: If there is no rainfall, water once a week.
  • Plant protection: If symptoms spread and treatment is needed, consult a licensed plant-protection supplier or an agronomist. Plant protection products are regulated; follow local rules.
  • General care: Spread a 5-7 cm layer of mulch over the root zone; it retains soil moisture and suppresses weeds. Do not pile mulch against the trunk. Drainage is vital for this plant. In heavy soil that holds water, plant it on a raised mound or berm 20-30 cm high so that the root collar stays above the surrounding soil level.
  • Pests & diseases: Check fresh shoot tips for aphids (small clusters of green or black insects). If there are few, you can knock them off with a strong spray of water. Check branches and stems for brown, stationary bumps (scale insects).
June
  • Watering: Water deeply twice a week; prefer infrequent and generous watering over small and frequent. The root zone should be wetted to a depth of 30-40 cm.
  • Plant protection: If symptoms spread and treatment is needed, consult a licensed plant-protection supplier or an agronomist. Plant protection products are regulated; follow local rules.
  • General care: Leaf scorch is the biggest risk; make sure it is in shade in the afternoon and gets enough water.
  • Pests & diseases: Look for aphids (green or black clusters of small insects) on fresh shoot tips. If there are only a few, you can knock them off with a strong jet of water.
July
  • Watering: Water deeply twice a week; prefer infrequent and generous watering over small and frequent. The root zone should be wetted to a depth of 30-40 cm.
  • General care: Keep it in a position sheltered from midday sun; scorching at the leaf edges is a sign of burn.
  • Pests & diseases: Continue watching for leaf scorch.
August
  • Watering: Water deeply twice a week; prefer infrequent and generous watering over small and frequent. The root zone should be wetted to a depth of 30-40 cm.
  • General care: After heat stress, monitor the condition of the tree.
  • Pests & diseases: Observe the general health condition.
September
  • Watering: If there is no rainfall, water once a week.
  • General care: Regular moisture is important for the development of autumn colors. Avoid stress.
October
  • Watering: If there is no rainfall, water every 15 days.
  • General care: Enjoy the autumn colors. It is the best time for planting saplings.
  • Pests & diseases: If fallen leaves show signs of disease, collect and destroy them.
November
  • Watering: Water a newly planted specimen more often than established plants during its first year, as its root system is still shallow.
  • Pruning: You can begin winter pruning after the leaves have completely fallen.
  • General care: Suitable period for planting and transplanting. Make sure water does not pool in the root zone during winter rains; for this plant, drainage is more critical than irrigation. Collect fallen leaves; many disease agents and pests overwinter under them.
  • Frost risk: Protect young plants and sensitive cultivars from hard frosts.
December
  • Pruning: It is the ideal time for light, corrective pruning.
  • General care: The plant is dormant. Leave it undisturbed.
  • Frost risk: Adding a thick layer of mulch over the root zone helps prevent frost damage.

The care advice on this page is general and for information only; it is not professional advice. Plant age, soil and your garden’s microclimate can change the outcome. Plant protection products are mentioned only as general information; they are regulated, and the choice, dose and timing must be decided by a qualified professional under local rules. Consult a landscape architect or agronomist before applying.

Want reminders for every plant in your garden? Our garden-care app with monthly task lists and frost alerts is currently available in Turkish; the English version is on the way.

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