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How to Care for an Amur Maple Hedge

Amur maples are small trees that can easily be shaped into a hedge to offer your yard privacy or to create a windbreaker for the landscape. The bright red leaves offer landscapes splashes of color, and this maple thrives in well-drained or dry soil. An amur maple is ideal in planting zones 3 through 8, but with extra attention can grow in warmer growing conditions. With proper care, an amur maple can easily be trained to grow as a hedge to provide the landscape beauty and privacy.

Things You'll Need

  • Hedge clipper
  • Water
  • Bonsai fertilizer
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Instructions

    • 1

      Select an area of the yard that contains well-drained soil and full or partial sun. In warmer zones, partial shade is ideal to prevent the leaves from burning in the hot afternoon sun. Plant amur maple along fences or walls, and shape into hedges to cover -- or plant along the front of the house for additional privacy.

    • 2

      Trim the tree into a hedge. After the initial trim, pluck new growth by hand from the branches each season to help maintain the shape along the trunk of the tree. As needed, trim the tip and sides of the hedge with clippers to keep the tree tidy.

    • 3

      Water the hedge moderately, and allow the soil to dry before watering again. In the warmer months, water may need to be more frequent, as the soil will dry quicker. During cooler months, water less often, as soil will not dry out as quickly.

    • 4

      Fertilize with a bonsai formula each week during the first month after planting. In the summer, apply the bonsai fertilizer every two weeks and water as directed, according to the manufacturer's instructions.