Japanese Maple trees are beautiful and are increasing in popularity due to their beauty. Many people worldwide want to add this ornamental tree to their garden, even if their climate doesn’t match the tree’s native environment. So, can Japanese Maple trees be grown in Florida, or should you plant a different type of tree?
Some cultivars or types of Japanese Maple trees can survive in the Florida climate. However, they will need your help to thrive and grow properly in these conditions that they are not native to. Some cultivars to try are Golden Embers and Seiryu cultivars.
This article will explore the natural climate Japanese Maple trees grow and whether these trees can be grown in Florida. We will also cover how to increase your likelihood of success when growing a Japanese Maple in Florida, so keep reading!
Can Japanese Maple Trees Survive In Florida?
Japanese Maple trees (Acer palmatum) are stunning trees that come in many different colors and sizes. These trees have many different cultivars to choose from, each with its own tolerances and requirements for survival.
Japanese Maple trees are native to Japan, and other northern countries, so growing them in more southern countries with extremely varied climates from their native climates can be challenging, but can they grow in Florida?
Some cultivars of Japanese Maple trees can survive in the Florida climate. However, they will need help to thrive and grow properly in these conditions.
To grow a Japanese Maple tree in Florida, you need to choose a cultivar that can handle more extreme heat than the others.
One cultivar that fits this is the Golden Embers cultivar. These heat-tolerant cultivars grow best in the USDA Hardiness Zones 5-8.
However, it is essential to note that even the heat-tolerant cultivars cannot be reliably grown throughout Florida, so it’s more of a try-it-and-see scenario.
What Is The Perfect Climate For Japanese Maple Trees?
As mentioned, Japanese Maples are native to Japan and grow exceptionally well in these climate conditions. Any area with the same climate can successfully grow Japanese Maples, but what are these climate conditions?
Japanese Maples tend to grow as understory trees in their natural habitat. This means they are not used to full sun and grow better in dappled sunlight. Japan’s weather differs from Florida, the summers get hot, but unlike Florida, it gets extremely cold and snows in the winter.
The soil in Japan is also known for being highly fertile and nutrient dense.
This, along with the steady summer rainfall in the country, makes it the perfect place for Japanese Maple trees to grow. These growing conditions and climate can be challenging to mimic if your state doesn’t naturally follow these conditions.
How to Grow Maple Trees In Florida
Growing a Japanese Maple tree in Florida can be challenging. If you intend to grow one of these beautiful trees in Florida, your Maple tree will need your help to survive in these new growing conditions.
Florida’s climate and growing conditions differ greatly from Japan’s, so you cannot plant a Japanese Maple tree and leave it while hoping it will grow.
You must try and mimic as many of the Japanese Maple tree’s natural growing conditions as possible.
Let’s go through a few ways you can help your Japanese Maple tree survive the harsher conditions in Florida and grow nicely.
Protect The Trees From The Heat
When trying to grow a Japanese Maple tree in Florida, you must protect it from the Floridian heat. This goes for the more heat-tolerant cultivars as well, as the heat in Florida can be extreme.
You need to plant your Japanese Maple in a location where it will not be in full sunlight for the entire day. You especially need to protect the tree from the afternoon sun, which is stronger than the morning sun and can damage your tree.
So, plant your Japanese Maple in an area with morning sun and shaded in the afternoon to protect your tree from scorching.
Grow The Trees In Containers
If you don’t have a space in your garden that is safe from the afternoon sun, you can grow your Japanese Maple trees in containers or large plant pots.
You can then move the trees around throughout the day as the sun moves to keep the trees out of the harmful direct sunlight.
Water Correctly
If you are trying to grow Japanese Maple trees in Florida, the tree will require more water than usual to survive.
Without the proper amount of water, they will start to dry out and wilt, which can result in the death of the Maple tree.
You need to keep the soil moist but not soaking. You can generally do this by giving the tree a deep watering once or twice a week and then watering the tree as needed throughout the rest of the week if the climate is hotter than usual.
Plant The Tree In the Right Soil
Japanese Maple trees need nutrient-dense soil to survive and grow properly. You must ensure that the soil you plant your Japanese Maple tree is airy, well-draining, and moist.
It’s essential to fertilize the soil at least twice a year to keep up with the nutrient requirements of this tree.
Choose The Right Cultivars
Choose the most heat-tolerant cultivars to ensure you have the best chances of successfully growing a Japanese Maple tree in Florida. The heat-tolerant cultivars will survive better in Florida heat and require less water and shade but should still be kept out of the afternoon sun.
The cultivars you should choose are Golden Embers and Seiryu cultivars. These trees are heat tolerant and should handle the climate in Florida relatively well.
Prune Off Any Dead Or Damaged Areas Of The Tree
When growing a Japanese Maple tree in Florida, you must also keep an eye on the exterior of the tree. If you notice any part of the tree dying or scorched as it was left in the sun, you must prune this section.
This will help keep the rest of the tree healthy and stop the disease or scorching from affecting the tree’s overall health.
Final Word
Japanese Maple trees are stunning trees loved by many for their beautiful colors. Many people want to grow these ornamental trees in their gardens to add color and vibrance to their yards, but this is not always easy.
It is possible to grow them in Florida, but they will require more care than other types of trees.
You will need to care for them and watch them closely to get them to grow into healthy and happy trees.
Good luck growing Japanese Maples in Florida!
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Sources
https://www.gardenguides.com/117343-grow-royal-poinciana-trees.html
https://www.ocala.com/story/news/2014/10/18/japanese-maples-need-the-right-spot/31947154007/