Choosing a location.

Maples will take ten or more years to reach their ultimate size.  Keep in mind the mature height as you choose a location for your maple.  Most Maples prefer morning sun and protection from hot afternoon sun and winds, especially Japanese lace leafs.  Some maples will prefer more shade to others.  Maples prefer soil that is light, well draining and slightly acidic.
If your soil is not acidic, you will need to amend it slightly with a fertilizer for acid loving plants.  These are similar conditions for azaleas, rhododendrons, and dogwood trees.

Irrigation

Maples prefer to be in  consistently moist soil, but not wet or boggy. Most have a  shallow fibrous root system and can dry out easily, especially when they are young and  newly planted.  Reducing,  but not eliminating,  irrigation as fall approaches will increase fall color on your maple.

Fertilizer

Most maples, especially Japanese Maples are slower  growing and do not require a great deal of fertilizing.  A Spring feeding of a balanced fertilizer will most likely be all that is required.

Container grown maples.

Japanese Maples are an excellent choice for a container garden. They take a minimal amount of care.  Feed with a balance fertilizer in the spring and be aware that containers will naturally dry out more rapidly.

Mulching

It is always a good idea to mulch your newly planted maple.   Applying a 2″-4″ layer of mulch will protect young roots from drying out in the summer and from frost damage in the winter.  It will take one to two years for roots to establish themselves.

Pest and problems   Maples are relatively carefree trees to grow.  Some are affected by aphids and white flies.  Usually they can be controlled by a spray from a hose.  Sprays, either chemical or organic, may not be a good choice for use on maples.  Read the bottle  label carefully first, as some are labeled not for use on maples.

In the heat of the summer it is not uncommon to see Japanese Maple leaves curl up and burn around the edges.  This is a possible indication your tree may need more shade than it is getting.  Wet leaves on Japanese Maples , either through overhead irrigation or nature,, will also tend to burn.   Even if your maple leaves all burn, curl up and defoliates in summer, chances are good it will leaf back out with the next flush of new growth.  Watch for tiny leaf  buds to develop.  Continue treating it as normal.

Late fall new growth that has not had a chance to harden off before winter can be burned.  In the spring it will appear as tip die back.  It is always best to prune back a maple in warmer spring or summer weather when the possibility for a fungus to enter through an open cut will be minimized.

Excessively wet soil over a prolonged period of time will cause root rot.  This is fatal to maples.  Choosing a well drained area to plant in is a must.  Alterations to a maples surrounding area, even on a mature tree, can have an  effect on drainage.  For example, a new sidewalk or driveway nearby may direct  excessive drainage to  the tree.