Coral Bark Maple
Facts About the Coral Bark Maple Tree
The coral bark maple is a tree that originated in Japan; it is most known for its beautiful red appearance in the winter months. This tree’s uniqueness and beauty has made the coral bark maple one of the most popular trees used in landscaping. Due to the fact that this tree is most colorful during winter, having these trees planted in your front yard can add some additional color to your holiday yard display.
Aside from its unique color, another notable feature of the coral bark maple tree is the shape in which it grows. As this tree grows, it will begin to take on the shape of a flower arrangement in a vase, which makes an even more attractive and unique tree.
During the summer months, the coral bark maple will be green, though it retains a red tint to it that still gives it a different look. The tree will typically grow between 15 and 25 feet tall and will have a width similar to its height. To get a really healthy tree you will need to plant this tree in an area where it will get plenty of sun; it is best to choose a planting location that will place the tree in the sun during the morning hours and in the shade during the late afternoon.
You will need soil that is moist, but the roots of this tree cannot become waterlogged or it will inhibit its growth. For best results plant the coral bark maple in a well-drained soil and keep in watered frequently. Although when you first plant this tree you will notice that it does mature quickly in the beginning; after a while the tree’s development will tend to slow to a normal growth rate.
The coral bark maple tree is also a great container plant. This tree can be grown indoors successfully, though it will likely on reach about 10 feet in height when indoors where the roots are confined by a container.
When you plant the coral bark maple you will have to keep in mind that it is a fairly fragile tree that will need some extra attention. If you live in an area that gets a lot of wind, try and plant the tree in a location that will provide some shelter from the wind. During the first few years after planting, you will need to keep this tree well watered, and add mulch to the soil surrounding the tree, but without letting it come into contact with the trunk.
Although this tree will grow in most areas of the United States, it does prefer a warmer, humid climate. In regions where the sun gets really hot the tree may scorch if in the sun too long; in this case you will need to plant in a location that receives sun during the morning, but not the afternoon.
When planting the coral bark maple tree, you will need a location that is large enough that the hole you dig will be at least twice the size of the tree’s roots. After covering the roots, you will need to water the tree, and continue to water at least every other day. The watering pattern will have to continue until the tree reaches maturity, but once fully grown this tree is easy to care for and does not require as much attention.
The coral maple tree makes a great addition to any landscape; it is as beautiful in the winter as it is during the spring and summer months. These trees are easily found at most local nurseries, and will vary in price, but will usually be under $100.