Japanese maples stay healthy in the freezing cold if gardeners do 3 simple tasks in autumn

Japanese maples are cold hardy plants that do not usually need a lot of care in autumn, but their roots tend to be quite sensitive and need to be protected before the cold weather arrives. Their roots are very shallow, which means they cannot hold a lot of water, and gardeners need to be careful to watch out for any excess moisture in the soil. Autumn temperatures can shift quickly from warm to frosty, and if the roots of a Japanese maple freeze and then thaw out, it can lead to root rot or even kill the tree.

Michael Francis, a gardening expert from Japanese Maples and Conifers, has warned that Japanese maples are very vulnerable in the chilly weather, but keeping them safe is easy with one simple item. He said: "Apply a layer of mulch around the base of the potted Japanese Maple to insulate the roots. Use materials like straw or wood chips to provide an additional barrier against extreme cold."

1. Mulching

Mulching is the simple garden practice of adding a layer of organic material around a plant to insulate it, and keep the temperature around it stable.

It is the easiest way to protect Japanese maple roots from freezing, and it also had the added benefit or smothering any nearby weeds as well as adding nutrients to the soil.

Wood chips are thick and long-lasting which makes them perfect for extreme temperatures. However, if you are worried about soil compaction then straw is better to use when you want a light mulch which will break down easily.

Once you have your mulch, simply spread it in a thin layer evenly around the soil, but keep it away from the trunk to allow more air into the soil.

Smooth it out so it looks tidy, water your Japanese maple, and your mulch should shield a Japanese maple front the worst of the chilly weather.

2. Wrapping

Japanese maples sitting in pots are more exposed and therefore are much more vulnerable to frost, so mulching might not be enough to protect it from the cold.

If you want to give a Japanese maple the best chance of survival, then make sure to also insulate the pot by wrapping it in a thick layer of bubble wrap or burlap.

Michael said: "Wrap the pot with bubble wrap or burlap, leaving the top and drainage holes uncovered. This helps regulate soil temperature, preventing root damage caused by freezing temperatures."

Bubble wrap or burlap will keep the temperature around a pot more stable so there will be less chance of the freezing weather damaging the roots on a Japanese maple.

The insulation will also prevent the pot cracking, which often happens when the soil freezes as it will begin to expand.

3. Monitor

One of the biggest mistakes gardeners make with Japanese maple trees is overwatering them as any soggy soil can cause both frost damage and fungal infections in autumn.

However, Japanese maples still need to be watered, so be cautious and always check the top soil before giving the tree any moisture.

Michael said: "Water the tree thoroughly before the first hard frost and then allow the top inch of soil to dry out before watering again. Avoid waterlogging, as excessive moisture can lead to root rot in the colder months."

You will know a Japanese maple is overwatered if the leaves are wilting or turning yellow despite the soil being wet.