Hi lizzy3,
Thank you for an interesting question.
Plant Encyclopedia Sample
http://members.mydeergarden.com/Sample/JapaneseMaple.htm
Common Name: Japanese maple - Botanical Name: Acer palmatum
Zone: 6a,6b,7a,7b,8a,8b
Type: Tree
Height: 15 to 25 ft
Width: 15 to 25 ft
Sun: Full, Partial
Soil Quality: Rich, Average
Soil Moisture: Moist
Soil Ph: Acid, Neutral
Soil Texture: Sandy, Silty, Loam
Deer Resistance: Sometimes eaten
Poisonous to Deer: n/a
Characteristics:
"I have had wonderful success with the deer ignoring Japanese maples.
Nevertheless, occasionally I hear of a Japanese maple being browsed.
While they are not toxic, they just aren't tasty.
There are literally hundreds of varieties of Japanese maple. With so
many, needless to say there is a lot of variance. They range in height
from approximately 2 feet to 20 feet. In general they tend to be broad
mounding trees with a very horizontal branch structure, but some are
upright. Leaf color can range from green to variegated pink and white,
or even red. The leaves have -5, -7, or -9 lobes. With so many
variables it is easy to understand why some people collect Japanese
maples.
Many Japanese maples are quite sensitive to bright sun. It is common
place for the leaves of some cultivars to scorch terribly in the
summer. Hence, if you are planning on planting a Japanese maple in a
sunny location it is best to research which cultivars are best suited
for your conditions.
Japanese maples are also sensitive to cold, drying winter winds. It is
common for cold wind to kill the tips of the branches, turning them
white. The dead tips should be clipped off in the spring. To prevent
wind damage it is best to plant your Japanese maple in a protected
area.
Most maples get small greenish-white or reddish flowers and Japanese
maples are no exception. While not breath-taking, they are attractive.
The flowers are followed by clusters of winged fruits, called samara
or keys.
There are literally dozens of varieties of 'Dissectum' Japanese
maples. Most have deep red leaves, but some have green leaves, while
others may have variegated leaves. However, they all have very deeply
lobed leaves. In other words, the leaves are very finely cut,
resembling lace. Very rarely do they reach as tall as 12 feet. The
cultivar called 'Seiryu' is very unusual, being upright with green
leaves and able to tolerate full sun."
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Japanese Maple Is Beautiful Tree but Must Be Planted in Right Spot
http://leon.ifas.ufl.edu/maple_japanese_right_spot.htm
"Japanese maples are best adapted to hardiness zones 5 through 8. When
grown in our region, they are, therefore, at the extreme southern end
of their range. Though they are marginally adapted, there are certain
practices that can help them to better tolerate our sandy soil and
extreme heat.
Soil Moisture and Light Exposure: Choose a planting site that does not
receive full sunlight all day. Most Japanese maples don?t thrive when
fully exposed to our extremely bright sun and summer heat. The
green-leaved cultivars can tolerate the most sun. The purple and red
leaved forms require partial or filtered sunlight in order to develop
the most color, but leaves will scorch or bronze in full sun. The
fancy, lacy-leaved cultivars require a location that provides
afternoon shade.
Gardeners who grow the Japanese maples often complain about leaf
scorch that occurs in late summer. This is mostly due to extreme
fluctuations in soil moisture. Since they require more consistently
moist soil conditions than most landscape trees or shrubs,
supplemental irrigation is normally suggested. This can be
accomplished by installing a micro- or drip-irrigation for use during
dry periods."
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Japanese Maple
http://www.chicagolandgardening.com/CGMPages/qanda.htm#12
"They need a moist, well drained, neutral soil, amended with organic
matter. They can grow to 8 feet tall in a good location. He says the
best planting time is right after Mother's Day. A protected spot and
plenty of moisture are critical elements for survival, even with the
newer cultivars."
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Japanese Maples
http://gardening.wsu.edu/column/09-21-03.htm
"Given a well drained soil mix they live happily in deck or patio
containers with otherwise minimal care. Soggy soil can be fatal. But
they need water. Don?t allow them to dry over summer: whether
container grown or planted in the landscape, consistent soil moisture
is the key. Surprisingly, though, long-established plants can tolerate
quite a bit of summer drought (not to be tried with newly installed
ones.)
Japanese Maples are not greedy for nutrients: they like acid soils
such as we have, and most will grow well in our area with little or no
fertilizer. Over-fertilized plants may lack the very characteristics
were chosen for. For example, variegated cultivars may have the leaves
revert to a solid green, then return to the variegated form when less
nitrogen is available.
Pruning also takes a light touch for these trees. If you?re removing
several branches, wait for winter when the tree is dormant. Minor
corrective pruning and training can be done almost any time. My
particular pet peeve is the lace-leaf varieties pruned into umbrella
shapes. They look like dumpy dowagers in hoop-skirts. The twiggy inner
growth should be removed since it may invite insect and disease
problems by holding soggy leaves next to healthy bark. More
importantly much of the beauty of these plants is in the graceful
curves of the trunk and limbs. I like to see the branches pruned so
that the natural structure is enhanced and revealed. A well shaped
lace leaf maple is as beautiful in winter as it is clothed in leaves
the rest of the year."
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Best regards,
tlspiegel |
