- 1). Consider your climate. Check your growing zone on a USDA hardiness map. While most types of maple grow well in zones 3 to 8, this is only an average and is not necessarily true for all of them. For example, the Norway maple cannot be grown south of zone 7. On the other hand, the painted maple cannot be grown north of zone 5.
- 2). Take into account the size of the fully grown tree. The taller the tree, the further away it needs to be from houses, sidewalks and other structures to avoid unintentional damage to roof lines, foundations and drainage structures due to root growth or branch development. If you have a lot of room, you may want to consider the majestic sugar maple, which can grow as high as 100 or more, with a spread of 70 to 80 feet. If your yard is a bit on the small side, the Japanese maple may be your best choice, as it only reaches from 6 to 25 feet high, depending on the variety.
- 3). Factor in the amount of rainfall your area receives in an average year. While most people give additional water to newly transplanted trees and young saplings, mature trees are generally left to grow on their own. Most maples can thrive in soil conditions from moist to dry but if you live in an arid environment, consider a tree that has some drought-resistance, such as the bigtooth maple.
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