The maple is one of North America's most versatile and best-loved deciduous trees. Depending on the variety, maples are used for rough construction or in the making of fine furniture. The sap of sugar maples is the only ingredient in maple syrup, that delicious elixir produced in Ontario, Quebec and New England every spring. Maples are also a major tourist attraction, their breath-taking leaves enchanting visitors to eastern North America every fall. A single maple leaf is even the proud centerpiece of Canada's national flag.

Improving Your Maple Tree's Soil

Probably the most important factor for a healthy maple tree is good soil. The type of soil determines not only how much nutrients and water the plant has access to, but also how efficiently the tree can use those nutrients. This can determine whether your maple can successfully withstand the stresses of growing in an urban environment or fight diseases such as verticillium wilt. As a homeowner, the best contribution you can make to your maple tree's soil and to the long-term viability of your tree is the addition of beneficial mycorrhizal fungi.

To learn more about mycorrhizal fungi, click here.