As maokai, In the mid-game, your main goal will be to look for as many picks as you can. Work with your Jungler to help them invade while planting your E sapling in the Jungle brushes.

You should be really tanky during this phase of the game. Peeling for your carries should be your primary goal after you manage to initiate the team fights.

The river and choke points would be a great place to fight as your abilities will lock down multiple enemies. Just go in on the highest priority target and try to CC lock them.         As maokai, In the middle of the game, your main goal will be to look for as many choices as possible. Working with your Jungler to help them invade while planting your E tree in Jungle's brushes. You should be really tanky during this phase of the game. Peeling for your carts should be your main goal after successfully launching team fights. The river and bottlenecks would be a great place to fight because your abilities will lock several enemies. Just enter on the highest priority target and try to lock them up from CC.