How to Plant Maple Trees 20 Feet Apart

With a spade or shovel, dig a hole that is twice as wide as the container, but keep the depth the same as the container. Scuff the sides and bottom of the planting hole with the edge of your spade or shovel. This helps the roots penetrate beyond the sides of the hole.

Amend the soil with 4 inches of compost to help lighten the soil, provide better drainage, and add nutrients.

Fill the hole with water, and allow the water to drain away naturally. This provides moisture deep into the soil.

Remove the maple tree from its container. Lay the pot on its side and grasp the tree by the trunk, close to the root ball. Gently pull to remove the tree. If it does not come out easily, cut the container with a utility knife, but be careful not to cut into the root ball.

Loosen the dirt around the root ball with a trowel or your fingers. If the roots are visible, gently tease them away with your fingers. Otherwise, the roots will continue to grow around the root ball and choke the tree to death.

Center the root ball in the hole, and check to make sure the trunk is plumb. Backfill the amended soil into the hole around the root ball. Fill the hole halfway, then tamp the soil down with your hands to remove any air pockets. Continue filling the rest of the hole, and then firm down the soil when you are finished.

Water the maple tree thoroughly to a depth of 18 inches. During the first year of growth, give the tree at least 1.5 inches of water per week. Cut back on watering if you notice that the leaves are light green or drooping. This usually indicates that the tree is being overwatered.

Place a 3- to 4-inch layer of mulch around the tree. Leave an inch of space between the mulch and the tree trunk. If the mulch is placed against the trunk, the bark could rot, leading to disease. Mulch helps the soil maintain moisture and keeps weeds from growing.

Feed the maple tree with a 10-10-10 slow release fertilizer tablet. Fertilize the tree twice a month when it is coming out of dormancy. During the summer months, fertilize the maple tree once a month.

Measure out 20 feet from the newly planted maple tree and mark your next hole. Repeat the above steps until you have all the maple trees planted.