Read on for some coral bark tree information.
About Coral Bark Maple Trees
Coral bark maple trees (Acer palmatum ‘Sango-kaku’) are Japanese maples with four seasons of interest in the landscape. In spring, its seven-lobed, simple, palmate leaves open in a bright, lime green or chartreuse color. As spring turns to summer, these leaves turn a deeper green. In autumn, the foliage turns golden yellow and orange. And as the foliage drops in fall, the tree’s bark begins to turn an attractive, reddish-pink, which intensifies with the cold weather. Winter bark color will be deeper the more sun the coral bark maple tree receives. However, in warmer climates, they will also benefit from some dappled afternoon shade. With a mature height of 20-25 feet (6-7.5 m.) and a spread of 15-20 feet (4.5-6 m.), they can make nice ornamental understory trees. In the winter landscape, the red-pink bark of coral bark maple trees can be a beautiful contrast to deep green or blue-green evergreens.
Planting Coral Bark Japanese Maples
When planting coral bark Japanese maples, select a site with moist, well-draining soil, light shade to guard against the intense afternoon sun, and protection from high winds that can dry the plant out too quickly. When planting any tree, dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball, but no deeper. Planting trees too deeply can lead to root girdling. Caring for coral bark Japanese maple trees is the same as caring for any Japanese maples. After planting, be sure to water it deeply every day for the first week. During the second week, water deeply every other day. Beyond the second week, you can water it deeply once or twice a week but back off on this watering schedule if the tips of the foliage turn brown. In spring, you can feed your coral bark maple with a well-balanced tree and shrub fertilizer, such as a 10-10-10.
