Japanese maple trees are at risk of rotting & ‘spring damage’ right now, gardeners warn, here’s how to protect them

FAMED for their striking red, weeping, lacy leaves, Japanese maples can transform anygarden.

However, with now officially here, the stunning trees are more delicate than ever, experts have warned.

To ensure the trees remain healthy and not at risk of ”rotting”, there are important care tips that owners should be aware of.

According to the green-fingered pros at Jackson Nurseries, enthusiasts should follow a five-step routine to keep their Japanese maples thriving this season.

Keep them hydrated

Water your tree regularly during dry for the first two seasons.

As a rough guide, the experts advised to water the trees once a week from spring to if there has been no rainfall, and twice a week during particularly .

Feed sparingly

While manybenefit fromfertilisers, the gurus noted that Japanese maples that have been planted out into the garden don't require heavy fertilisation.

For best results, gardeners are encouraged to feed sparingly, ideally using a fertiliser with a 3:1 ratio of nitrogen to phosphorus in spring.

They also warned to avoid using nitrogen lawn feed in the immediate vicinity, as excessive nitrogen can cause overly vigorous growth that's more vulnerable to disease.

Avoid the risk of rotting

April is a busy month for green-fingered Brits, with plenty of .

Another task to add to the list is applying a fresh mulch of bark, straw or well rotted garden compost in April.

Here, you should make sure it doesn't come into contact with the trunk to avoid the risk of rotting and disease.

Horticultural fleece

Japanese maples are most prone to damage in the spring because they leaf out early at the first sign of warm weather.

However, in many parts across there may still be further frosts in store which can be damaging, especially for younger trees.

Gardeners can protect the delicate Japanese maple by using horticultural fleece when the forecast suggests a further frost.

Heavy snowfall warning

Although , the weather can be unpredictable.

If there has been a heavy snowfall, Japanese maple owners should carefully brush off any accumulation of snow that may cause the branches to snap, being careful not to be too rough with the branches.

If you spot any ice frozen to the branches, it is best to be left alone, the experts said.

Gardening jobs to complete this month

REPAIR THE LAWN

Most gardens and are often neglected during the harsh winter months – so April is a good time to show them some much-needed love and care.

Speaking to Express, that the upcoming month of April is the perfect time to repair it.

”If you haven’t given the lawn it’s first cut, now’s the time to do it but keep the mowing height on the high side.

”For any bare patches, either re-turf or sow lawn seed.”

PLANT CHIVES

A must for the ultimate brunch staple, Eggs Benedict, chives are to be planted in the sunny month of April as well.

”Try planting chives and other herbs and letting them germinate on a sunny window sill or in the greenhouse,” the whizz said.

He also added: ”Take care though to sow them sparingly, thinning them out if they become overcrowded.”

PLANT TOMATOES

No summer dinner is complete without a delicious salad full of juicy tomatoes or a bowl full of refreshing gazpacho.

And, according to Chris, April is the perfect time to sow their seeds.

He also warned keen gardeners to ”keep an eye on the conditions”, instructing to introduce the plants to outside temperatures slowly.

This is because tomatoes tend to thrive in warmer weather.