What Japanese Maple Trees Need in August for Brilliant Fall Color

There are few things in the garden quite as magical as a Japanese maple tree in fall. One week, it's quietly sitting there and doing its best to blend into the background, and then suddenly the leaves seem to catch fire – glowing scarlet, orange, gold or some combination of all three.

If you grow one, I bet you probably spend the summer waiting for that moment, but now is not the time to simply admire your acer and wait for fall to arrive. In fact, there is plenty that Japanese maple trees need in August, as what you do now can help your tree head into the changing season in the best possible condition – particularly after a long hot summer.

It's an important thing to remember, because Japanese maples can be surprisingly sensitive to summer stress; heat, drought and inconsistent watering can leave them struggling before the cooler nights arrive, and a stressed tree may also be more prone to leaf scorch, which can spoil the display before fall color has a chance to develop.

What Japanese Maple Trees Need in August

Your Japanese maple tree is still actively growing in August, even though autumn may already be on your mind. And, yes, it needs enough moisture and the TLC required for those all-important healthy roots to maintain its leaves through the end of summer and into the beginning of fall.

Now, while no amount of Japanese maple care in August can guarantee a spectacular display (the intensity and timing of fall color depend on the variety, daylight, temperatures and weather conditions), you can give your tree the best possible chance.

Here are three things your Japanese maple needs from you this month.

1. Consistent Moisture

If there's one thing Japanese maple trees need in August, it's consistent watering. They do, after all, prefer evenly moist soil, and summer heat can dry the root zone surprisingly quickly (something which can be particularly bad news for young trees and those growing in containers, as they can lose moisture much faster than established trees in the ground).

Rather than giving your maple frequent little sips, then, water deeply when the soil begins to dry. The goal is to moisten the root zone without leaving the soil permanently soggy, and don't wait for the leaves to wilt before reaching for the hose, either. Leaf scorch (those crispy brown edges and patches that can appear during dry weather) can be a sign that the tree is struggling to keep its leaves adequately hydrated.

A layer of organic mulch around the root zone can help, too, as it helps slow evaporation and keeps the soil temperature more stable during hot weather. Just keep it a few inches away from the trunk and avoid piling it against the bark.

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2. Prudence

We talk a lot about what Japanese maple trees need in August, but one thing they don't need is a feast, particularly if you're hoping for spectacular fall color. Which is why you must resist the urge to pile on fertilizer.

Yup, these trees generally don't need heavy feeding, and pushing tender new growth late in the season isn't what you want. A tree that is already growing well is usually better served by consistent moisture and good soil conditions than by a late-season dose of fertilizer.

If your maple genuinely needs nutrients, a soil test (something like Amazon's Rapitest Soil Test Kit is ideal) can help determine what is actually lacking rather than relying on guesswork. And when it comes to fall color, remember that more fertilizer does not mean more color. The brilliant reds, oranges and yellows you see later in the year are influenced by the tree's genetics and by the conditions it experiences as summer gives way to fall.

3. Protection

Your Japanese maple doesn't need to be pampered, but August is a good month to protect it from unnecessary stress, especially if your tree is growing in a particularly hot or exposed position, as afternoon sun and drying winds can be tough on the foliage.

Some Japanese maples tolerate more sun than others, but varieties with delicate leaves can be especially susceptible to scorch during intense summer weather, which is why you should avoid any unnecessary pruning now. To be honest, they generally don't need heavy summer pruning anyway, and cutting away healthy branches and foliage during stressful weather can create wounds while reducing the tree's ability to produce energy.

Instead, concentrate on keeping the growing conditions steady. Check the soil during periods of heat, maintain your mulch and keep an eye out for signs of scorch, pests or disease. Think of August as a month for protecting what your tree has already grown, rather than trying to force it to grow more.

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If you're wondering what Japanese maple trees need in August, then, the answer is simple enough: keep the roots comfortably moist, protect the foliage from unnecessary stress, and let the tree gradually make its way toward fall.

Then, when those first cool nights arrive and the leaves begin to change, you can sit back and enjoy the show – knowing you've given all of that beautifully blazing foliage exactly what it needed to get there. Huzzah!