Count to Sap Magic before you trade, and stop using W as a default opener into bruisers; Maokai lane gets much better when they step into Q range first and your root keeps them inside a knockback-plus-heal window instead of dragging you into their long fight
Treat E as a route tax, not a poke button: saplings in lane brush, river brush, and gank paths are what make top Maokai feel annoying to play into, because they slow the exact movements opponents and junglers want to take
Maokai’s better games start once Sunfire Aegis or Hollow Radiance lets him clear and leave, then use early-travel R through ramps, river mouths, or tower approaches to start a cramped fight before the enemy formation is settled
Use R earlier than your instincts probably want, especially when a fight is about to form through a ramp, river mouth, tower walk-up, or jungle corridor. You are usually trying to force a bad path before everyone is already in melee range, not saving it for the prettiest point-blank root. If the enemy team is still lining up, your ult can split them, slow the first step forward, and make the follow-up W or Q simple. If the fight has already turned into a pileup, then the short-range cast is fine for chain CC, but that should feel like the backup use, not the default one.
Maokai's basic attack also heals him and deals additional damage on a moderate cooldown. Each time Maokai casts a spell or is struck by an enemy's spell, this cooldown is reduced.
Maokai knocks back nearby enemies with a shockwave, dealing magic damage and slowing them.
Maokai contorts into a mass of moving roots, becoming untargetable and dashing to the target. Upon arrival, he roots the target.
Maokai flings a sapling to the target area to stand guard. More effective in brush.
Maokai summons a colossal wall of brambles and thorns that slowly advances forwards, damaging and rooting any enemies in the path.