Home Garden

How to Make a Chinese Maple Tree Grow Faster

The Chinese maple tree, also known as Acer leipoense, is a species found throughout China. The Chinese maple tree is a threatened species, according to The Global Trees Campaign. You can grow a Chinese maple tree as a colorful addition to your property with minimal upkeep requirements. While the Chinese maple tree can grow up to 40 feet tall, achieving this height takes decades. But you can make a Chinese maple tree grow faster with proper care.

Things You'll Need

  • Slow-release fertilizer
  • Organic mulch
  • Sharp shears
Show More

Instructions

    • 1

      Select the proper location for the fastest rate of growth. This location should be at least 30 feet away from other trees to ensure they are not competing for moisture and nutrients. Also, leave at least 30 feet of distance between the tree and structures. The Chinese maple tree should receive partial sunlight rather than full sunlight to encourage growth.

    • 2

      Apply a slow-release fertilizer around the base of your Chinese maple tree, according to the instructions on the package. Each tree fertilizer has a different recommended method of application, and failing to follow the proper application technique could harm your tree. The slow-release fertilizer ensures the Chinese maple tree has the nutrients it needs to grow faster.

    • 3

      Place an organic mulch around your Chinese maple tree, going out 5 feet from the base in all directions. Lay the mulch 4 inches thick, following the manufacturer’s instructions. This prevents weeds and grass from growing around the base of the tree and stealing its nutrients. In addition, mulch insulates the tree’s roots during extreme temperatures, simulating a forest floor.

    • 4

      Keep the soil around the tree moist but not muddy; this ensures that your tree has enough hydration to grow. You need to water thoroughly once one to six months, depending on your climate.

    • 5

      Cut away dead branches during the winter with a pair of sharp shears. This encourages your Chinese maple tree to put energy into growing upward rather than into its branches. Cutting away dead branches is known as pruning your tree.