User blog comment:Ukanlos Subspecies/Got any useful tips on how to play the Tree?/@comment-60.24.5.231-20130307084417

Sometimes, the sapling isn't needed around lvl 6 as the damage is so weak, but mao works well coming in the lane through the bushes on the side (top, bot), starting with an arcane smash.

When you gank, and they still got Flash up, you can try to enter from behind (not side rivers) and walk to them, knock them back with arcane smash and if they flash W towards them, that way you can really utilize the most of the gank, and probably burn their flash.

Also item-wise, I realized you shud really rush some hp items instead of getting a philo and spirit stone or else you get killed in ganks. Spirit of ancient golems isnt bad, but also i find sunfire cape to be really effective for maokai mid/early game