Just purchased an older Japanese maple. I would say its about 8 or 9 years old, maybe older. Really nice shape and about 8 feet canopy and about 4 feet tall. Any advice before I do this on sat morning -matt
Matt, I asked almost the same question about a year ago, here's the thread: http://www.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/forums/showthread.php?t=65323 I got some helpful responses and also explained the move in detail afterwards. Today is actually one year since the actual move, and my tree is doing great, its been joined by three other JM's this year (two in containers). Hope the thread helps, Gene
Well the transplant went well. Tree was overall about 10 feet wide and a trunk of about maybe 3" thick. Got a nice ball on it about 30-35" wide and got it out of the hole and onto my truck. 15 mile drive and into the corner of my property. One concern was that I had about 4 larger roots coming out one side of the tree that were MASSIVE compared to the other ones. Lets hope this thing makes it. All in all it was a pretty big job. Let me know what you guys think.
Nice tree, make sure to water it regularly next year (two to three times a week) but don't drown it either. Good luck.
I would love to see the branching structure when the leaves are gone. How come at the base, is so much thicker, is that the graft point? I can't see it clearly in your pics
Planting site looks a little muddy, note these MUST have good drainage at all times. If the area puddles during rainy periods it may need to be relocated, or have topsoil dumped and mounded to give it an elevated area to grow in.
Its a bit thicker right near the bottom but not really sure why. It looks cool though. These pictures were right after I got it in the ground being watered for the first time. And to top things off, thats all new top soil that was wet when I got it delivered. The tree will be fine.
Pretty decent winter here on the east coast. No real storms execpt for one in October. Here are pictures of the tree 6 months later. Nice buds starting to happen. Since the weather broke I did lightly fertilize it and I've been keeping the ground moist.
Well three years later and I think I lost the tree. I noticed in October before the leaves fell that a significant part of the tree was dying. Well this spring No new buds on the branches. The sticks don't feel dead but they aren't alive feeling like they should. There are a few new sets of leaves on the trunk only Any chance of saving it. ? What did I do wrong ? Anything I can do now ?? Matt
That is so sad. Sometimes Japanese maples can up and die for no apparent reason, but only you will know if it was too wet, or too dry, or too windy, or accidentally sprayed with something lethal, or whatever. You can cut off the obviously dead branches and nurse it. I would not fertilise ... that doesn't help an ailing tree. This is a little Katsura that died on me a few years back, and I nursed one little insignificant bud into what you now see today, so keep your fingers crossed :)
What a bummer. Perhaps some disease was introduced with all the root damage? I'm sorry for the loss--
I am thinking that where I planted was a ton of chip munks. I noticed this past season chipmunk holes near the tree. Possibly they made a new home under there which caused the death. I'm really not sure. This tree was super established. The trunk has some new growth so I am hoping for the best. Matt
