Maple trees , with their beautiful colors and attractive shapes , make a outstanding addition to any landscape painting . If you ’re considering adding one to your thousand , you may be inquire how best to fecundate it so that it remain sizable and beautiful . Wonder no more ! We ’ve done the research , and we have the solvent for you !
To fertilize your maple tree , practice a sluggish - release fertilizer forge for trees , with an NPK ( nitrogen - P - K ) proportion of 10 - 4 - 6 or 16 - 4 - 8 . The in force plant food for maple trees include :
In this article , we ’ll explain when to fertilize your maple tree , what qualities to count for in a fertiliser , and how to apply various forms of fertilizer . We ’ll also talk about whether two common horticulture products , MiracleGro and Epsom saltiness , are good for maple . And we ’ll identify how to keep your maple tree healthy , from planting through maturity . Keep read to discover more !
Best Fertilizers For Maple Trees
The first three years are the most of import times to fertilize maple trees . fledged maples typically do not involve fertiliser , as their extensive etymon system elicit all necessary nutrients from the ground . However , there are meter when even an older maple may call for a nutrient cost increase . Consider inseminate your mature maple if you notice any of these signs :
Maples require spate of atomic number 7 , which stimulate leaf and twig growth . They also need potassium and phosphorus for photosynthesis and radical growth . When you ’re frequent for fertilizer , look for a mathematical product formulate for trees with an N - P - K ( atomic number 7 - phosphorus - potassium ) proportion of 10 - 4 - 6 or 16 - 4 - 8 . take a fertilizer that bring out its nutrient slowly : a spry - dismission product will oversupply your tree with too much nitrogen all at once , damage the root .
Tree fertilizer comes in three forms : granular , liquid , or spikes .
Granular
Granular fertilizer are simple to apply : shake them from the container or broadcast them by the handful . Read the counseling on the container to determine how much to utilise ; then spread it equally on the ground around your maple . You want the fertilizer to reach the tree ’s feeder roots , so come out about a animal foot from the tree ’s proboscis , go on to the dripline ( the outer edge of the tree ’s canopy ) , and then an extra base beyond the dripline for every 5 ' of your tree ’s height .
Because granular fertilizer lie on top of the soil , some nutrients are wasted when the granule are washed away by great rain or dispersed by foot traffic . Alternatively , you’re able to put the fertiliser in the soil , as follows :
Granular fertilizers should be used in the late fall after all the leave have dropped or early saltation before new growth begin .
This professional - grade mealy fertilizer was develop specifically for maple , with slightly in high spirits levels of nitrogen and phosphorus than generic tree fertilizers contain . It include a variety of natural constituent that promote maples ' resistance to pests and disease . Its patented slow - loss rule ensures that your tree will get just the right amount of atomic number 7 throughout the year .
Click here for Tree Help Premium Fertilizer for Maples on Amazon .
Liquid
Liquid fertilizers are another option for providing nutrients to your maple Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree . Unlike granular or spike fertilizers , fluid fertilizer is used monthly during your maple ’s grow season . It in general occur in the bod of powder or granules , which you resolve in water before applying it to the ground around your tree . Choose a boring - button pattern so your maple ’s tender confluent roots will not be overwhelmed by an influx of nitrogen .
This mathematical product provides a ripe balance of N , morning star , and potassium . It also features the best slow - release feeding among the liquid fertilizer . In addition , it protect against insect pests yr - round .
Click here for BioAdvanced liquidness Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree and shrub fertiliser on Amazon .
Spikes
Fertilizer spikes are simple to use and easier to handle and store than granular or liquid fertilizer . They come in different strengths and sizes , so it ’s crucial to read the direction on the software program to determine how many spikes your tree diagram needs . Drive them into the ground at equal intervals around the circumference of your tree diagram ’s dripline . They are designed to unloose their nutrients slowly into the surrounding soil .
The major drawback of fertilizer spike is that their effect is concentrated in the soil near to each spike , with less core farther away from the spikes . This can cause uneven rootage ontogeny , as new root form in clusters in the highly fertilized areas .
Jobe ’s spikes have a slightly higher nitrogen concentration ( 60 % ) than most other plant food spikes . This is a incentive for maples , which do it nitrogen . They are gentle to palm and sturdy , unlike some other spike that tend to transgress or distort when drive into the ground . Use Jobe ’s spikes double a twelvemonth : once in the other spring and again in the previous tumble after all the leaves have fell .
Click here for Jobe ’s Tree and Shrub fertilizer spike on Amazon .
All-Natural
Various all - natural option provide excellent results if you prefer not to use chemical fertilizers on your maple tree diagram . you may spread manure or compost around the tree – starting a foot beyond the trunk and extending past the dripline – and work it into the surface soil . Or you could utilize 2 " of constitutional mulch such as true pine stalk or cured wood chips to the same area ; the mulch will resign nutrients as it decompose . If you prefer the informality of plant food spike , there are several estimable all - raw option .
These eco - friendly fertiliser spikes contain only natural ingredient and skip the plastic overlay that other spikes use . Although the amount of atomic number 7 , daystar , and potassium in each spike is more or less scurvy than in some chemical fertilizers , there are still raft of nutrients here to give your maple the rise it want to thrive .
penetrate here for Old Farmer ’s Almanac all - raw tree fertiliser spikes on Amazon .
Is MiracleGro Good For Maples?
Many gardeners wish to use a granulate MiracleGro design for trees . Although it is not give voice specifically for maples , as is the Tree Help fertilizer described above , it still contains an appropriate mix of nitrogen , phosphorus , and potassium . It also includes several natural component - kelp , earthworm casting , feather meal , and bone repast - promoting soil natality .
If you choose to use MiracleGro on your maple , remark that you must apply it every three calendar month rather than once a year .
Click here for MiracleGro granulated tree plant food on Amazon .
Is Epsom Salt Good For Maples?
Epsom Salt is the common name for Mg sulfate . It contains two component that can help maple trees : magnesium , which helps the Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree take up N and phosphorus , and S , which neutralizes soil pH. However , if you are already using fertilizer on your tree diagram , adding Epsom saltiness can cause the roots to absorb too much nitrogen too chop-chop .
A upright principle of pollex is : if your Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree indicate yellow leaves and stunted growth , AND if you ’ve rule out issue like poor drainage or deficient wet , then try applying Epsom salt dissolved in water .
How Do You Keep A Maple Tree Healthy?
Planting
First Three Years
remain to check the moisture of the dirt on a regular basis throughout your maple ’s spring up time of year . If the soil becomes dry , weewee deep . As your tree matures and its solution arrangement spread , it will gradually need less and less lacrimation from you .
Protect your young tree diagram ’s trunk from the Winter sun : swaddle it in a tree diagram wrapper during the wintertime month , and remove the wrapper in Spring before young growth initiate . Also , if you exist in an area with snow and ice , do your best to keep road and driveway table salt away from your tree : maples are peculiarly sensible to salt .
If you choose to prune your maple for human body , the first three years are critical . Prune in summer , after all the folio bud have open . minimise your cutting while still getting the anatomy and canopy density that you want . During the early years , boil down on pruning off low - hanging limb . Alternatively , many householder today do n’t prune at all , provide their maple to develop naturally .
Fourth Year And Beyond
start in about your maple ’s quaternary class , it will involve very short care and maintenance . During stop of extreme drought , water it profoundly if you see the leaves browning or curl . If your tree ’s shape is important to you , prune it as needed . And , if you see sign that it ’s not getting the nutrients it needs- less increase than usual , low leaves , or leaf dropping early- apply plant food .
How Much Water Does A Maple Tree Need?
During the first two years after you plant your maple , ensure the ground stays consistently moist but not soggy . As your tree diagram matures , it will bit by bit require less watering . By its fourth year , it should be capable to line enough moisture from the land without your help , except in period of drought .
How Much Sunlight Does A Maple Tree Need?
maple prefer full sun but will tolerate balmy to temperate shade . The more sun they get , the denser and thicker their foliage .
How Big Do Maple Trees Get?
modest maples , such as the Japanese , Rocky Mountain , or Vine varieties , grow to 25 ' .
There are only a few average - sized maples – topping out at 30 ' - 50 ' – including Norway and Silver maples .
Most mixed bag of maple Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree turn tall – from 70 ' to 150 ' . The easily - known varieties of big maples let in Sugar , Red , and Black .
What Maple Trees Grow The Fastest?
atomic number 47 and Red maples are the fastest - growing types of maple tree . silvery maples grow at least 3 ' ( and up to 7 ' ) per year , while Red maple typically grow three feet per year .
In Closing
Adding a maple tree to your landscape painting provides beauty , shade , and value . By ensure that it has the correct filth , secure drainage , an sizable supplying of water , and atomic number 7 - plentiful fertiliser , you’re able to keep your unexampled maple healthy and bask it for year to come !
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