Planting this into the ground would be the most important way to improve the health of the tree. Be sure that it has been planted with the root flare showing above the soil line. The root flare is where the trunk spreads out to the roots, and this should be above the soil – maples are especially sensitive about this and will sulk or die when the trunk is buried too deeply. If you go to Google Image and type in “tree root flare” you will see examples of this.
Don’t worry about the mildew. In the northeast it was a bad mildew year because we didn’t have that much rainfall this past summer. Also, at this time of year as the plants are “closing up shop” for the winter various leaf diseases become more pronounced. These plants will drop leaves soon, and just be sure to clear mildewed leaves out of the garden so that the spores don’t linger around the plant for next year.
Maples commonly get leaf scorch on their edges when they dry up in between waterings. To help prevent this once your tree is in the ground mulch to a foot beyond the dripline every year using an inch of bark mulch but no more. Don’t pile mulch against the trunk – keep it back at least 5″ from the trunk. Water the plant once a week using a sprinkler or soaker hose (not hand watering) if it doesn’t rain.
Maples, and trees in general, don’t usually need fertilizer but do benefit from organic matter placed on top of the soil – compost, composted leaves, bark mulch etc.
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