The first thing you need to know is that there is a way to grow a Japanese maple Japanese maple in the same way you should grow regular varieties of maple. Once you know which maple species is right for your garden, it’s time to choose the right shape for each tree.
A mature Japanese red maple tree reaches a height between 15 and 30 feet. It also spreads radially over an area of around 20 feet. This makes the Japanese red maple one of the smallest maple tree species. As a result, they reach maturing slightly faster than other maple trees and in around 20 years or so.
Regardless of the variety, you can expect your Japanese maple to have a very shallow, fibrous root system that can coexist peacefully with other trees, shrubs, and perennials, as well as walkways and foundations.
Japanese maples can grow 12 to 24 inches (30 to 60 cm) per year and reach 10 to 25 feet (3 to 7.6 m) in 15 years, but you can keep them at a smaller, more manageable size with annual pruning.
Potted Japanese maples grow much more slowly than trees grown in the garden, but will also benefit from regular pruning to keep them small. In large gardens, Japanese maples are great under mature trees and will thrive in the shade of deciduous trees that can grow right below them. Best of all, because dwarf maples grow slowly, these gorgeous mini trees can fit in many yards where larger trees don’t.
Japanese Maples Are Small for the Genus
The fact that they are smaller also means they are easier to care for, which can save you a lot of money in the long run when you factor in the amount of time you have to spend trimming and pruning your plants. Whether you grow dwarf maples for ornamental purposes in your garden or for commercial purposes, you will probably be surprised at how easy they can grow and their ability to produce a beautiful large tree if you take the time to care for them properly.
Because they are still so small, they still retain water, and you can even mulch them, which will protect them from the elements and ensure they continue to produce new leaves and new shoots while the old ones rot.
Little maples are beautiful in autumn with their gorgeous flowers, and with the right care, you can grow a small maple even if you don’t have much space in your garden. You can also grow your own maple tree in a container, just remember that you need to be diligent in pruning to keep it under control. Container trees may need more regular pruning to stay within the available space, but unless you’re a bonsai grower, pruning is a job you can forget about with Japanese Maple.
Tips for Planting Small Trees
You will need to scale up the planned size accordingly if you end up choosing a larger tree. If you’re okay with more pruning each year, you’ll probably be able to keep your tree a certain size.
If you remove large branches, it may take several years for the tree to grow back, but it will eventually return to a balanced silhouette. Growing up means your new tree may not have the same deep lobed leaves as the parent tree, or the color won’t be as vibrant.
It can be helpful to know where the tree was grafted, because if the branch grows from under the “collar” it will have the characteristics of the original rootstock. As the tree matures, it grows taller — reaching 5-12 feet — and its invasive roots penetrate the soil forcefully. This 20-foot tree does well in shade, but it also does well in full sun in cooler areas, where summer color is strongest. A. japonicum Aconitifolium can only grow to 10 feet tall and wide at maturity, so it is perfect for small areas and grows well in zones 5-7.
The Appeal of the Tree’s Leaves
The star-shaped leaves’ summer color won’t fade, and the rounded but upright posture of Sherwood Flame won’t overwhelm a smaller garden, as it rarely grows over 15 feet tall. Osakazuki is one of the fastest growing maples, reaching nearly 20 feet in ten years and eventually reaching 25 feet, a rounded but upright shape perfect for a small garden. Generally hardy in USDA zones 5 to 8, this tree is a small, slow growing species with a mature height of 4 to 30 feet, depending on variety.
Upright – These trees grow to a height of 10-20 feet with a uniform span, depending on the variety. If you want a small tree to grow in a small garden or large container, choose a dwarf variety like Red Dragon or Little Princess up to 8 feet and 5 feet tall respectively. An area at least five feet wide is a good starting point for planting a bonsai. A weeping variety such as Crimson Queen is suitable if you want the tree to function as a shrub in your garden, taking up width and serving as a garden ornament.
From deep red varieties like Aratama to Weeping Green Laceleaf, choosing the right tree really comes down to finding the color, size, and branch style that works best for your landscape. They can be grown as small single-stemmed trees or large multi-stemmed shrubs ranging from six to 25 feet tall, which means the Japanese maple can adapt to a variety of landscapes. The larger forms of Japanese maples make perfect small trees that stay below 15 feet tall for a long time and very slowly reach 20 feet or more.