Some maples tolerate moderate drought. Most thrive in full sun or partial shade. Some should be protected from the sun to prevent leaf scorch and provided irrigation. Maples may be troubled by borers, aphids, scales, leaf spots, tar spot, anthracnose, bacterial leaf scorch, canker and collar rot. The bark is thin on most maples, and easily damaged by mechanical impact.
Wounds expose the tree to greater susceptibility to disease and insects.
Feeding roots on many maples are shallow, preventing good growth of turf beneath the canopy. Provide 3 to 4 inches of mulch beneath the canopy, covering any surface roots exposed. In addition to conserving soil moisture, mulch protects the trunk from mechanical damage and helps keep soil temperatures cool. Spring pruning has a greater impact on growth, as leaf area is reduced and less photosynthesis will occur during the growing season. Pruning in late summer and early fall minimizes the impact on growth, as leaves remain on the tree during the entire growing season.