Planting Instructions for Red Maples
- 1). Plant the red maple in a location with full sunlight or partial shade. It will tolerate well-draining or wet soil conditions.
- 2). Dig a hole twice as large as the tree's root ball and discard all weed growth. Work compost into the soil until it feels crumbly to the touch.
- 3). Place the tree into the soil at the same level it was planted in the nursery. Push the soil around the tree's root ball and firm it down to remove air pockets. Tamp the soil completely around the tree's root system.
- 4). Apply 3 to 4 inches of mulch around the base of the red maple tree to help eliminate weed growth and reduce the need for cultivation. The tree's shallow root system can easily be damaged by cultivation to remove weed growth.
- 5). Water the red maple tree thoroughly. Keep the tree moist for its first year of life as it establishes itself. Fertilize the tree using a slow release 10-10-10 fertilizer once per month in the spring and summer. Follow the directions on the fertilizer's label for application instructions.
