Maples make great bonsai plants. The most popular species for bonsai include A. palmatum, A. ginnala (Amur Maple), A. campestre (Field Maple), A. buergerianum (Trident Maple), and A. monspessulanum (Montpellier Maple).
A. rubrum is a tree that is native to low, wet areas of eastern North America. They grow fairly fast to heights of 60 feet tall and 40 feet wide, or even larger. They bear red twigs, branchlets, and buds. They also bear dull red fruit. Their leaves are 2-4 inches long, with 3-5 lobes, shiny green above, and pale below. They are able to tolerate most soils.
| Plant Types: | Perennial, Tree |
| Light: | Partial Shade to Full Sun |
| Height: | 50 feet to 75 feet |
| Width: | 40 feet to 60 feet |
| Zones: | 3a to 9b |
| Bloom Color: | Red |
| Bloom Seasons: | Early spring, Mid spring, Late spring, Early winter, Mid winter, Late winter |
| Leaf Color: | Green |
| Special Features: | Attracts birds, Deer resistant, Naturalizing, North American native, Wetlands plant |
| Shape: | Oval, Rounded, Upright or erect |
| Fertilizer: | Miracle-Gro® Shake 'n Feed® Continuous Release All Purpose Plant Food, Miracle-Gro® Water Soluble All Purpose Plant Food, Miracle-Gro® Nursery Select Miracid® Water Soluble Plant Food |
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Usually grown from ripe seed. Otherwise, bud in late summer, graft in winter.
Maples are a very large group of trees that come in many different sizes, leaf shapes and have different growth requirements. Maples grow well in northern latitudinal climes. In warmer climates leaves will show marginal leaf burn in mid-Summer and may not show Autumn colors in the Fall. Some species of Maple (such as A. buergerianum) can be trained to grow as bonsai trees.
Maples are not known for their flowers but they do flower. The effect can be striking if the whole tree is in flower. The tiny flowers can be yellow, green, orange or red. They Maple tree fruit are unique. They resemble wing nuts that are sold at the hardware store and may come different colors.
Prefers moist acidic soil. Alkaline soils (pH > 7.5) usually cause a yellowing of the leaf blades, often with pronounced green veins and stunted. Constant water is needed to support Maples' extensive shoot system especially while the tree is getting established. Occasional deep irrigations will promote deeper root development which will ease the constant need for available water.
Periodic fertilization in tandem with deep irrigations will promote deep root development which is beneficial to many Maples since they tend to have shallow roots.
Generally, pruning isn't necessary, but small trees can be pruned in order to accentuate shape. If pruning is desired, make cuts during summer/early fall (for climates with mild winters) or between late fall and mid-winter (in climates with freezing-temperature winters) in order to minimize sap bleeding.
Some species are susceptible to aphid damage, which can be resolved with a dimethoate spray. The leaves can be eaten by the larvae of a number of moth/butterfly species. Maples are affected by a number of fungal diseases. In late summer and autumn leaves can be disfigured by "tar spot" and mildew, but neither usually have an effect on long-term health. Though mostly deer resistant young trees, particularly Japanese maples are not.