The Japanese Maple

At some point in life, I decided I really like Japanese maple trees. I like the shape of their leaves and their color range, and I like the tidy but relaxed structure in compact habit. I've wanted one near my home for years, so I could watch the leaves change during the growing season and appreciate their beauty.

When we moved last summer, we finally had a plan to live somewhere long enough to justify the purchase. Note that this is the highest amount I've spent to purchase a single living thing. And it came in a box. Or as J. said, "There's a tree in there?"

Yes, J., there is a tree in that box.

We diligently followed the directions from the nursery. We placed the tree in a shady, windless spot for three days to allow it to adjust to being free from its cardboard box and packing popcorn prison. We watered it until it was the roots were soaked. After the third day, we dug a hole exactly 3 times wider and 1.5 times deeper than the root ball. We fertilized and enriched the soil with humic matter and mudded-in the roots to prevent air pockets. Finally, we lovingly created a dam to collect and direct water. I would have gladly mulched if it weren't for the rock project, and I'm out of mulch at the moment. And voila.

Yes, there is a tree in that photo.