Maple trees need ample water and sunlight to flourish. In areas where the soil is mainly hard, compacted clay, extra effort is necessary to care for the trees so they retain water, yet excess moisture can still run off from the heavy clay. Much of the effort behind watering a maple tree involves preparation of the clay soil. Gardeners can also add nutrients and supplements to the clay to improve tree growth. Just follow these steps.
Instructions
1. Loosen the topsoil around the maple tree with a shovel in a diameter as far from the trunk as the branches overhead.
2. Use the post hole digger to create a vertical drainage tunnel about 3 feet deep and 3 feet out from the trunk. This will help divert water from the roots and causing rot, because clay soil absorbs and retains water for longer periods of time. A drainage tunnel gives the water somewhere to go.
3. Fill the hole with gravel.
4. Spread the 20-pound bag of powdered gypsum around the loosened soil to provide aeration and promote good root structure.
5. Water around the maple tree until the ground is thoroughly wet, but there should not be any standing water.
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