
Wide angles between the trunk and the branches add strength to the overall structure of the tree, and they are less likely to break. If in doubt, remove branches with narrow angles that appear to be trying to grow straight up. If you buy your red maple tree from a good nursery, you probably won’t need to prune it after you plant. In the past, the Florida maple could be listed as a distinct species (called either Acer barbatum or Acer floridanum ), or as a subspecies of the more broadly distributed sugar maple and called Acer saccharum subsp. The leaves are naturally light green in color, so you can’t depend on them to tell you when you need to fertilize. This is a taxonomic question that has not really been resolved. When you do fertilize, apply a general purpose fertilizer in early spring. Red maples probably don’t need fertilization every year.

A 2- to 3-inch (5-8 cm.) layer of organic mulch helps the soil hold moisture longer. Slow, deep watering is better than frequent light applications because it encourages deeper roots. They come in a variety of colors such as green, yellow, orange and red. Flowers As spring progresses, the tree sprout flowers. In response to the season change, the maple tree grows leaves. Water red maples before the soil has a chance to dry. Spring When warmer weather arrives and the snow melts, its the start of maple tree reproduction. Alkaline soil leads to pale, sickly leaves and poor growth. If the site isn’t naturally moist or wet, the tree will need frequent irrigation throughout its life.
Maple tree sprout full#
Red Maple Tree Care and PlantingĬhoose a wet site located in full sun or partial shade. Grafting creates weak points in red maples and makes them more susceptible to breaking. You should also make sure you purchase a tree grown on its own roots rather than a grafted tree. One way to make sure you get the color you want is to buy in fall from a local nursery.įall is an excellent time to plant, and you can see the color of the foliage before you buy. Some turn brilliant yellow or orange, and although they are striking, they are a disappointment if you were expecting red. First of all, not all red maples have red fall foliage. These injuries provide entry points for diseases and insects.īuying a red maple sapling isn’t as straightforward as it may seem. In addition, the thin bark can sustain damage from string trimmers and flying debris from lawn mowers. Exposed roots are easily injured if you run over them with a lawn mower. Although they aren’t as destructive and invasive as those of silver maple trees, they can raise sidewalks and make lawn maintenance a difficult chore. They have thick, strong roots that grow near or above the surface of the soil. For small urban lots, consider growing smaller cultivars, such as ‘Schlesingeri,’ which rarely exceeds 25 feet (8 m.) in height.īefore you plant, you should know that there are a couple of problems associated with growing red maple trees. Sprouts have an advantage over seedlings by having the support of the larger root system left over from the previous tree.

Aspen tends to grow better from root sprouts while red oak, red maple and white birch can grow well from seeds or stump sprouts. Red maples tend to be shorter in the southernmost part of their growing range, which is USDA plant hardiness zones 3 through 9. The first four in that list are prolific stump (root collar) and root sprouters. They grow 40 to 70 feet (12-21 m.) tall with a spread of 30 to 50 feet (9-15 m.). Red maple trees vary in size depending on the location and the cultivar.
Maple tree sprout how to#
Read on to find out how to grow a red maple tree. New twigs and leaf stems are also red, and after the flowers fade, reddish-colored fruit takes their place. Red flower buds form in winter, opening into showy red flowers before the tree leafs out.
Maple tree sprout professional#
Realizing you have a tree in the wrong place only after it's so big it needs professional removal can be an expensive proposition.īeth Botts is a staff writer at The Morton Arboretum in Lisle.A red maple tree ( Acer rubrum) gets its common name from its brilliant red foliage that becomes the focal point of the landscape in autumn, but red colors play a large part in the tree’s ornamental display in other seasons as well. If you find a sapling of a desirable species - a native oak, for example - in a bad spot, consider offering it to a neighbor or someone else who has a good site to plant a great tree.īut if it's not the right tree in the right place, dig it out while it's small and you can handle the job yourself. If you find a young tree growing and you didn't plant it, consider carefully whether it's an appropriate species for the site and whether it will outgrow the space available. Make sure you can identify the trees in your yard. "People need to be aware of what's growing in their gardens," she says. Unplanned trees also may grow too close to buildings. "A tree can take off and grow until it's too big for the space that's available to support it," Scott says.
