Lucky you for buying an Autumn Blaze Maple! When you receive your new Autumn Blaze Maple, you want to be sure to plant it properly so it not only survives, but thrives! Your sapling might not look like much immediately out of the box, but just give it some time and you will be impressed!

All our trees are expertly packed to make it safely through the shipping process, and when you receive your Autumn Blaze Maple it has been in a box for several days in transit and could have been exposed to intense temperatures. Don't worry if your new tree looks a tad wilted or has no leaves when you open the box, as it will bounce back after a few days. We send it in a dormant state so that it survives shipping.

Unpack ASAP: Carefully unpack your Autumn Blaze Maple sapling from its box and other shipping wrap immediately upon receiving it. Avoid leaving it in the box any longer than a few hours after it's arrived to your doorstep. If you have to leave it boxed up for a few hours, do move it to a shady spot. You definitely want to try to plant your tree the day it arrives if at all possible.

Water: Give your tree a good drink of room temperature water without overly saturating it. Once you spot the water exiting the drain holes on the bottom of the pot, you know that it's gotten a substantial watering.

Identify the Spot: Autumn Blaze prefers a sunny spot, so be sure to position it where it will get plenty of rays. It can tolerate dappled shade, but their preference is to get sun at least 6 hours per day. Due to its quick growth, don't try to squeeze a Autumn Blaze Maple into a tight spot or under power lines as it quickly gets to 50 feet in height when mature. Select a location that it will have room to spread out as this gorgeous tree shoots up 3 feet every year.

Dig: Once you've identified the proper location, dig a hole that is approximately 1-2 feet wider and 1 foot deeper than the Autumn Blaze Maple's existing root ball. This is so your roots can have plenty of room to spread out. Adding a thin layer of organic matter to your hole will help ensure your tree stays healthy and gives it a good start.

Plant: Carefully remove your Maple from its plastic pot and loosen the roots a bit without breaking them. Place the tree in the hole and add fresh soil all around it up to the point where the roots hit the trunk. Tamp the dirt down firmly so that it supports the tree properly, and there are no gaps in the soil that will allow moisture to escape and cause tree death. If your tree is very tall or large, you might want to consider staking it to ensure it grows straight and isn't knocked over in a good wind. After a year, you can remove the stake.

Water Again: Grab a watering can or hose and sprinkle water on the soil so that it settles in around the roots. If the dirt sinks in significantly, simply add more at this time until it is all level with the ground. Mulch: Spread a 2" deep layer of mulch around your new tree to prevent root frost and to keep in moisture.

Additional Tips:

Seasonal Timing: Fall and spring are the best seasons to plant--but a tree can safely be planted in summer as long as it is not overly hot or if there is a drought. A tree can be planted in winter if the ground is not frozen, but it is certainly more ideal to plant it 6 weeks before the first frost preferably.

Ongoing Water: Once planted, continual weekly watering in the first year is critical to your young tree's survival. Most newly planted trees die because they are under watered. To ensure your new tree is getting enough water, you might want to consider a Tree Gator Water Bag as an insurance policy. It will slowly release water directly to the root ball where your tree needs it most.

Feed: In spring, your tree will benefit from a good quality food so that it gets the needed nutrients to really take off. We highly recommend Espoma Tree-Tone as a great quality food that will keep your tree thriving for years to come. [Note: Do not feed your tree if you are planting it in fall or winter, as it will be in its dormant stage.] Weed: Keep all grasses and weeds at least 3 feet away from the trunk of your Autumn Blaze Maple, as they are notorious for stealing moisture and nutrients from your trees.