skip to main content

Pacific Sunset Maple Roots

15 years ago

I've got a fairly young Pacific Sunset Maple in my back yard. We bought the largest one they had at the nursery and planted it 3 years ago. I'd like to build a raised garden around it, but my father believes that it would kill the tree by depriving the root system of oxygen.

Can anyone tell me if this is true? I don't want to kill the tree, but I'd love to plant something around it.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (4)

Embothrium
15 years ago
Shallowest possible layer of highly aerated soil, preferably scattered low mounds or berms rather than a solid blanket that fills entire area around tree. Stay off the trunk. Water enough to keep tree roots below new level moist.
Dibbit
15 years ago
Just be aware that the tree roots will quickly grow up into the new soil, so only plant things that can cope with dry shade - no matter how much you water, the tree roots will take most of it. Try not to plant things that will need frequent moving or dividing - mostly perennials, annuals only in pots - since the tree roots will be hard to dig through in future years. If you really NEED to plant annuals, then plant them in pots that you can scatter/stage among the other plants or on the mulch. Watering them will be much easier then also.
Related Discussions
True Shantung versus Pacific Sunset
Q
Comments (1)
Nutritional needs are basic and shouldn't really differ between different Maple cultivars. As for their specifics I recommend doing a quick search on Google. I tried to attach some good links for the two but Gardenweb wouldn't allow me to. -Mike
...See More
Pacific sunset maple
Q
Comments (3)
It's a hybrid between shantung and norway maple. Norway maple is more of invasive tree in certain areas plus they seem to have terrible root system that makes it diffcult to plant anything around it. I'm curious what exactly it is about this hybrid that makes it better than norway and shantung. Shantung maple alone is already a great tree. It's designated as Texas Super star plant (in texas). I think there's only 4 trees on that list.
...See More
Are my red sunset maples going to make it?
Q
Comments (2)
I think your trees will be OK. As for pinching off the new shoots/leaves?--I don't think this will kill the tree. If there was too much root loss resulting in severe and persistent wilting, I prefer to selectively prune off the less important branches, such as lower branches that you will want to prune off anyway, branches that by chance are growing very close to each other and/or crossing each other (the smaller of the two), and some smaller branches carrying foliage in the interior ot the tree--to thin it out a bit. And, of course, if there are two leaders, cut one off. It is normal for red maples newly planted not to grow much for the first year of two. As for the wilting appearance--this is also normal if it just means that the leaves seem a bit limp in the afternoons. If this wilting persists and worsens, even in the mornings, then some pruning as described above can help. And, of course, keep the trees well watered. If they were groqn in pots, sometimes the soil in the pots is thin and does not hold much water. Because the trees don't yet have their roots growing much into the surrounding soil, you must be careful to keep them well watered, maybe as much as every other day if the soil in the pot is a light thin soil and the soil you have planted them in is well drained (meaning the water soaks through it fairly quickly). --Spruce
...See More
Sunset Maple turning red in summer
Q
Comments (10)
I dug a hole close to the trunk per your suggestion and found water 1 feet deep and lots of clay soil. It didn't rain recently - it must be drainage issue. Attaching picture. I went to the local nursery and based on their suggestion did the following 1. Added root strengthening solution - assuming transplant shock 2. Home depot person suggested using Vitamin B1 solution to help with stress 3. I also added peat moss and organic compost+ manure to the top layer As far as staking goes, it is one year old - i added it after my tree fell down during a storm. Looks like i need to drain properly and improve the soil - it will be a long battle I also have a new problem - bark is splitting - not sure if i should do something about it - any ideas are welcome. Thanks for all the responses. Adding picture of bark as well.
...See More
ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
15 years ago
over time.. no matter what you do .. a maple will kill everything under it..

they are super competitors.. with a shallow root system that will steal all available nutrients and water ...

if you want to garden under trees.. shade gardening... you have the wrong tree ... i can refer you to the hundreds of posts about maples in the hosta forum ...

i once .. on a mature tree.. added 2 feet of soil in a raised bed around a 50 foot tree ... within 3 months... you could NOT put a shovel through the added soil as the maple COMPLETELY invaded the new soil ... now i know better.. and it did not kill the tree ...

good luck
ken
Embothrium
15 years ago
Variety being discussed not as large-growing as Norway, Sugar or Silver maples and probably not quite in the same league. Small-growing maples are fine garden trees. Probably 'Warrenred' will be intermediate in size when mature.

Related Stories

GARDENING GUIDES Great Design Plant: Paperbark Maple

With fall foliage like a sunset and bark the color of cinnamon, this tree is a highlight of the landscape

HOUZZ TOURS Houzz Tour: Georgia Peach Grows California Roots

By Vanessa Brunner

Southern Glamour and Bay Views Combine in Lush San Francisco Home

GARDENING GUIDES Pacific Northwest Gardener's August Checklist

By Genevieve Schmidt

Deadheading perennials, cutting raspberry canes and preparing for the onion harvest keeps Northwest gardeners busy in August

GARDENING GUIDES Pacific Northwest Gardener: What to Do in September

Put in cool-weather veggies, fertilize your lawn and tidy the garden this month before chilly weather arrives

GARDENING AND LANDSCAPING Great Design Plant: Pacific Coast Iris

By Annie Thornton

Plant this West Coast native for stunning, intricate blooms from January through May

LANDSCAPE DESIGN Great Design Plant: Vine Maple

Exciting year-round color and adaptability make this highly ornamental native small tree a top choice for home gardens

GARDENING GUIDES 5 Amazing Small Maple Trees

There's more to maples than syrup. Expand your maple milieu with any of these 5 small and unusual trees

TREES 11 Japanese Maples for Breathtaking Color and Form

By Jay Sifford Garden Design

With such a wide range to choose from, there’s a beautiful Japanese maple to suit almost any setting

TREES Great Design Plant: Acer Rubrum Brings Shade and Beauty

By Ellen Sousa/Turkey Hill Brook Farm

Red maple — a fast-growing, low-maintenance Eastern native — has spectacular fall foliage and early-spring flowers that feed pollinators

COLOR Turquoise Dreams and Beachy Things

By Becky Dietrich, Interior Designer

Whether you sway toward South Pacific or float to a moodier blue, turquoise will land you on the shores of happy

Sponsored

Dave Fox Design Build Remodelers

49 Reviews

Columbus Area's Luxury Design Build Firm | 17x Best of Houzz Winner!

More Discussions

Weeping White Spruce Growth

15

Paw paw seedlings or cuttings

6

Huge black maple in Michigan

4

Pruning of young Chinkapin Oak

3

Oh no, tree leader broken off

13