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Japanese Maple Root System – Are the Roots Invasive?

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You cannot consider planting a Japanese maple near your house since it’s not a friendly tree. It has some drawbacks and bad sides. Therefore, planting the maple tree at least 10 feet from your home is better. But this rule will not apply to gardens.

You can plant maple trees in your garden with enough empty spaces. Since the maple leaf has a higher felony rate in Seattle, you should keep your distance from it. 

Japanese Maple Root System Explained

Japanese maple root is a shallow and deep system. You will find both types of root systems in Japanese maple. Some will go deep into the soil and become a deep root system. But most of them will remain on the surface and give you a shallow root system. So, you need to be careful.

Since there are different Japanese maple trees available, you must be careful about their growth and types. Therefore, I’m adding eleven different types of Japanese maple trees and giving them short information regarding their root system.

Therefore, I will give you eleven different maple trees and will explain their root systems and other related issues. Let’s see if they are invasive or not. So, it’s better you go through all the apple trees and find your chosen maple tree root system. 

This section will clear all your thoughts about Japanese maple trees.

Bloodgood Japanese maple:

It shapes a flat root structure that spreads primarily inside the best 24 inches of soil. It isn’t obtrusive either. Contract stringy roots spread to the tree’s dribble line and marginally past. 

The tree develops at a moderate rate, so there will be no need for visit pruning.

Dwarf Japanese maple:

The Dwarf Japanese maple has moderately shallow roots. The feeder roots, specifically, are exceptionally near the surface of the soil. The roots of the dwarf Japanese maple are in general compact and non-invasive.

Coral bark Japanese maple:

The Coral bark Japanese maple is slow- to the moderate growing woody tree. That’s why you’ll be able to anticipate it not to be invasive. It contains a shallow root structure.

Crimson Queen Japanese maple:

The Crimson queen Japanese Maple is littler than most maples, incorporates a shallow root structure and is non-invasive.

Emperor Japanese maple:

Pompous, brilliant, ruddy foliage for three seasons. The Emperor Japanese maple is non-invasive as well as root structure.

Tamukeyama Japanese maple:

Develop roots fundamentally within the best 24 to 36 inches of soil. The Tamukeyama Japanese maple root expands radially from the trunk in all headings. Like most other Japanese maples, it is additionally non-invasive.

Red Dragon Japanese maple:

Like most other maple trees, Red dragon Japanese maple has a shallow roots structure, so they won’t reach profoundly into the soil to urge water. You’ll be able to anticipate it to be a non-invasive plant.

Fireglow Japanese maple:

Fireglow Japanese maple may be a non-invasive plant with shallow roots that expand down to almost 3 feet underneath the surface of the soil at the most profound.

Sango Kaku Japanese maple:

The Sango Kaku Japanese maple tree has a shallow root structure and a prolonged growth rate. Just like another Japanese maple, it is also non-invasive.

Green Japanese maple:

Japanese maples have terrible notoriety for creating roots that crimp and circle around the root crown and lower stem, inevitably choking the tree of its claim life. Most of the time, it is non-invasive.

Osakazuki Japanese maple:

Osakazuki Japanese maple ‘Osakazuki’ plants have shallow root frameworks, so they should be watered habitually during the summer. Ordinarily, it isn’t anticipated to be obtrusive.

Does Japanese maple have deep roots?

Japanese maples have deep roots since they can go through 6-8 feet if the soil is soft. So, it’s not like you will only have shallow roots; you will find the invasive Root sometimes. Although they will not occupy the nearby area, the maple root will go through deep and spread evenly.

For that reason, you will find some Japanese maple trees with deep roots. And some other maples that can only go through 10-22 inches deep. The actual answer to your query depends on your maple tree type.

How Deep Are Japanese maple Roots?

The Japanese Maple roots are 6-8 feet deep. It’s the average depth of their roots that you will find most. But the actual depth is yet to be discovered. When you plant Japanese maple roots, you cannot plant anything else near them because of their deep root system.

So, people are advised to plant their Japanese maple trees at least ten feet away from their house and garden. It will give you the best safety and will not ruin other plants’ growth. If you have a plan, you can plant it accordingly. 

How big are Japanese maple roots?

Japanese maple roots can be as big as 12 feet wide, and the root system will go up to 3 feet deep. It’s basically on the surrounding areas and other criteria. If you plant your Japanese maple roots in space, it will try to occupy that entire area soon.

But the root system needs to be controlled if you want to plant something else near this tree. In that case, you must control the root growth and restrict it from spreading. That would be your challenge.

What kind of root system does a Japanese maple have?

A Japanese maple might have different root systems. I found three other root systems for different Japanese maple roots. 

Shallow Root System: 

You will mostly find most Japanese maple roots as the external root system. It will not be invasive, but it will remain on top of the soil that will only spread up to 2-3 feet. These Japanese maple trees are considered to have a shallow root system.

Wide-Spreading Root System: 

Some Japanese Maple trees will have a wide-spreading root system. You cannot skip them like the shallow root system. Instead, you must stop the growth and restrict the wide-spreading root system.

Deep Root System: 

Another type of Japanese maple tree has a deep root system. You can avoid their roots and be relaxed. These root systems will not act invasive; they will go deep, at least for six or eight feet. 

Are Japanese maple Roots Invasive?

The Japanese maple roots are not invasive but can spread like the invasive ones. Depending on the trees, they can go deep or become a shallow root system. If you buy the invasive type of Maple trees, they will be invasive and destroy the entire surrounding.

But things will be different here. You cannot expect the Japanese maple roots to be invasive, but they will spread underground and might come on top of the soil. So, you need to manually check your maple roots and be sure about their growth and other parts. 

Can Japanese maple roots damage foundation or pipes?

Japanese maple roots can damage foundations or pipes. Maple trees are Canada’s national trees and are considered a symbol of strength and endurance. Maple trees have a variety of root systems. 

They can be strong or weak, where some are spread in nature, while some can be compact. The maple tree and age can cause the Root to come out of the surface.

This can cause damage to the sidewalks or any building near it. Pipelines are also not out of danger. The silver maple is the most dangerous of all. Compared to that, the Japanese maple is less harmful; it is better not to plant maple near your house.

How much root space does a Japanese maple need?

The Japanese maple root system will require a space of 18-24 feet. The Japanese maple can grow up to 30 feet and provide a stunning beauty to watch with shades. The Japanese maple tree root will grow until it finds the nutrition source. 

The extension can lead up to 24 feet, as Japanese maples are a bit small in size compared to other maples. Its Root is shallow, so they are less invasive, but it grows fast and captures around 24 feet.

Do Japanese maple spread or multiply?

The Japanese maple spread. Maple trees are beautiful, but they are invasive in their root system. The Japanese maple reproduction can be done in two ways. Either through seeds or by grafting. The seeds of the tree are the basic and main form of reproduction. 

That means when the seed falls near the tree, it will cause the reproduction of a new Japanese maple. That’s why maple trees are spread in nature.

Final Thoughts

Japanese Maple Root is not invasive; they go deep or follow the shallow root system. However, you cannot plant your maple tree near the house or garden because of its root system and damaging power. So, avoid planting Japanese Maple trees if you’re not fond of them.

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