Aaron_K

Hi Cordon,


7000ft elevation eh? At that altitude you don't even have smog as a protective sun screen lol.

Japanese maples will grow quite happily receiving indirect sunlight or only the early morning sun rays.

Just to give you an example, my dad has a lovely Acer palmatum var. atropurpureum (bloodgood) which is about 5ft tall and grows in a pot against a wall shaded by climbing plants. It receives a tiny amount of direct sunlight and has grown a great deal in the 2 years he's had it. I was eyeing it up for a trunk chop the otherday lol.

Personally, I'd go for a 50% screen and see how it goes. If the leaves do start to scorch, then try a stronger filter. Watch out for hot dry winds and ensure they are given a good dousing twice a day in the summer, as they are darn thirsty trees forming shallow root systems.

They like a fast draining/well aerated soil, so adjust your mix to contain a higher percentage of screened organics, as this will help retain more moisture in your climate.

Hope that helps. All the best,

Aaron