Maple Tree - Acer

Maple trees thrive in Southwestern Ontario with proper care. Water young trees deeply—approximately 10 gallons per inch of trunk diameter—weekly during dry spells. Apply 2–3 inches of organic mulch around the base to retain moisture and suppress weeds, keeping it away from the trunk. Prune in late summer to early fall (August through early September) to avoid excessive sap loss. Remove dead, broken, or diseased branches, and eliminate any suckers at the base. Never remove more than 10–15% of the canopy in a single season. Plant in well-drained, nutrient-rich soil. Monitor for pests like gypsy moth caterpillars, particularly on young sugar maples, and watch for black spots or fungal growth indicating decay. In late fall, provide a final deep watering before the ground freezes to prevent winter dehydration. Fertilizer is typically unnecessary unless growth is visibly stunted.