Japanese Maple Fertilizer: How and When to Apply

Applying the right amount of Japanese maple fertilizer at the right time is a lesson in attentiveness and restraint. Exercise both of these when offering your Japanese maples supplemental nutrition and you’ll be rewarded with consistent, healthy growth. This article discusses how and when to feed Japanese maple trees and what products are the best ones to use.

In general, the Japanese maple (Acer palmatum) is prized for its vibrantly colored leaves and relatively compact habit. Japanese maple trees look lovely when planted amongst other ornamentals, along the edges of lawns, or as centerpieces in container gardens. They are easy to care for and prune (you’ll find pruning tips for Japanese maples here). Ultimately, the way you grow yours and your specific growing conditions should influence your decisions about whether and when to use liquid fertilizers, fertilizer pellets, or nothing at all.

Truly understanding the needs of these beautiful trees starts with a good soil test. To learn all you can about the makeup and fertility of your planting bed, contact your local extension office about soil testing or use a quality DIY soil test kit. Then, let the results help to guide you.

Japanese maple trees prefer soil that’s light, well-draining, and rich in organic matter. And, since Japanese maples are acid-loving plants, the soil they’re in also should be slightly acidic. If your trees are planted in heavy clay or soil with a very basic pH level, they aren’t likely to thrive. What’s more, because pH problems can impede nutrient uptake, adding fertilizer in this instance won’t help. Instead, you’ll need to amend the soil with a mixture of well-rotted compost, worm