I would like some general information on how to plant a Japanese Red Maple from a 1 gallon pot. I am putting it in my front yard here in Texas and it will be fairly well shaded. Any suggestions on soil amendments, fertilizer, etc. Thanks
Planting Maple Dig a wide, shallow planting hole. Do not ammend the soil, use indigenous soil. Gently remove tree from container and lightly dirsrupt the roots that were in contact with the pot, comb them with your fingers. Make sure that there are no roots circling, if so rearrange them so that they do not continue circling. Firm soil in center of planting hole and place tree on top. Plant at same level or even a little high. Fill hole with indigenous soil. Do not cover the uppermost roots with more than about a quarter inch of soil. Form a watering basin a foot or so around tree. Gently water, thoroughly, until water pools up and almost goes over your watering basin. Let water soak in. Repeat the watering step, over and over again. When you think that it has been thoroughly watered, re-adjust your soil surface around your tree, smooth it out and add more if needed. Repeat this a few times. When you and your tree are satisfied, mulch entire planting area with about 3" of mulch (I prefer pine straw) keeping the mulch about 3" from trunk of tree. Water again thoroughly. As far as fertilizer goes, hold off the first year but if you feel you must I would suggest something mild and organic like Espoma. You will never make much money planting this way commercially but you will have a well planted tree.
