Maples may be used as lawn specimens, screens, patio trees, hedges, border accents and even container plants. There is such a wide variety of form and size that landscape use is dependent on the species being used. The ideal soil for most maples is rich, porous and well-drained. Most do well in a fairly wide soil pH range, although many favor slightly acid soil. Red and silver maples thrive in fairly wet soils.
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.