A good mulch of 3 or so inches over the soil will help keep the soil temperature moderated and conserve moisture. Be sure to pull the mulch away from the trunk slightly to prevent crown rot and insect damage, especially in the South. It is also helpful in the South during the summer to keep the ground cool. Maples Most cultivars benefit from full morning sun and appreciate some afternoon shade. A spot on the north or east side of a house is ideal in most situations, since it affords some wind protection and also blocks the afternoon heat.
Maples are widely adaptable and hardy in most parts of the country.
You must provide your maple with constant moisture and good drainage. The addition of sand, fir bark, peat moss or compost to the native soil for tilth may be advisable in heavy or poor soils. Mounding maybe advisable in heavy clay soils. Regular watering is essential, since your maple must never dry out. One light application of fertilizer in the spring is usually adequate.