# What Is a Maroon Tree?
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Uses
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Use the maroon tree much the same as you would the hydrangea, azalea or other flowering shrub. Choose a partially sunny location in the garden that needs a shot of interest. The maroon tree also makes an impact as a specimen plant, but give it lots of room or prune it to keep it compact. Tree peonies, in general, are pricey, so choose a location to not only show it off, but one that also that fits with its care requirements.
Planting
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The quickest way to kill the maroon tree is by planting it improperly or at the wrong time. Plant the bareroot shrub in fall and the container plant in spring or fall. Remove weeds and other vegetation growing around the site so that the newly planted maroon tree isn't forced to compete for moisture and nutrients. Plant the maroon tree at the same depth at which it was growing in the nursery and keep the soil moist while it establishes.
Care
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Avoid pruning the maroon tree in fall or you risk cutting off next season's flower buds. As soon as you notice new growth in the spring, fertilize the maroon tree with 3 Ibs. of 5-10-5 fertilizer. Scatter the granules on the soil -- 6 inches from the shrub's base -- and spread it around. Water after fertilizing to soak the product into the soil. This is the only fertilizer the maroon tree requires per year.
Propagation
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Maroon tree seeds require a period of stratification to break dormancy. Fill a plastic sandwich bag half-full with moist sand or perlite and push the seeds into the mixture. Seal the bag and refrigerate it for 90 days. When you remove the bag from the refrigerator, place it in an area that remains 75 degrees F. Within two to six weeks the seeds germinate and should be carefully removed and planted 1-inch deep into nursery pots filled with equal parts potting soil and sand. Leave the pot in a cool, shady spot outdoors or in a greenhouse. Grow the maroon tree in increasingly larger pots for two years before planting it in the garden.
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