Maple tree sprout install#

If they are allowed to grow they can form multiple trunks or grow up into the lower parts of a tree. Similar to water sprouts, suckers can be a sign of stress in a tree. Crabapples, oaks, maples and dogwoods will frequently develop numerous water sprouts in their crowns and require regular pruning to create and maintain good structure. Some tree species naturally produce more water sprouts than others. Shortened water sprouts may also be pruned into strong limbs over several seasons to replace weak limbs in the crown of the tree.

Shortening water sprouts is another option that will keep shoots from getting too long and will slow their growth and regeneration. Keep in mind, if too many sprouts are cut off at once they will grow back. Water sprouts can be thinned so that they are spaced apart and grow away from the trunk and permanent branches. If you have a tree with many water sprouts, the best approach is usually to leave some of them because sprouts can help a tree rebuild its energy reserves. Simply removing them all without correcting the underlying issue will usually result in sprouts promptly growing back. Determining the cause of the sprouting and fixing it is the key to keeping water sprouts from returning. Water sprouts occur due to stress or injury from storm damage, root loss, soil compaction, topping, disease, over-pruning or drought. They are both problematic because they can crowd the canopy of trees, reduce flowering and fruiting, alter plant structure, make trees more susceptible to wind and ice damage and ultimately look unsightly. Water sprouts and suckers grow from dormant buds in the bark and are weakly attached to trees unless they’ve been allowed to grow for many years. By most definitions, water sprouts are shoots that develop on the trunk and branches of trees, while suckers are shoots that grow from roots or the base of a tree. These will 'harden' the seedlings with the hope that you can eventually transition them to an outdoor shed or greenhouse to wait out the rest of the winter.When trees are stressed or have suffered some sort of trauma, they often respond by producing upright shoots called water sprouts and suckers. Mulch will keep the roots warm, but you should still return the plants to the outdoors for a short time each day in winter. While this will protect the young trees from the worst of the cold, you can't simply keep them inside all winter as you did when they were seeds in your refrigerator. In a case where your seedling growth is incremental enough that they remain vulnerable when the next frost or winter comes, be prepared to transplant the seedlings into a pot with heavy mulch and bring them indoors. Even if their growth is slow or staggered, prune as you normally would and avoid topping or stubbing. Step 5 - Continued CareĪs your maple saplings grow into proper trees, be prepared to prune and care for them. Saplings can be transplanted into a permanent location at 1-2 years of age. Avoid over-watering your maple seeds or they will rot. You can transplant your seedlings outdoors once the frost has passed and when they're about 4 inches high or have developed their second set of 'true' leaves.Ĭontinue watering thoroughly, allowing the soil to dry completely between each watering cycle.

Maple tree sprout install#

If they are outside where they don't receive much natural shade, install a shade cloth or snow fence over the seedlings to provide it. Once sprouted, seedlings should receive about 50-percent shade. Water regularly, allowing the ground to dry out before watering again. Seeds should be sown in a sandy loam, about 1/2 inch under the surface. If you want to plant directly outside after stratification in late spring, store the seeds in a paper bag until 100 days before the end of the frost.

Use a planting medium that combines peat moss, organic compost, vermiculite, and coarse sand for best results when planting seeds in a pot. Step 3 - PlantĪfter the stratification, plant the seeds in 6 inch pots and keep them indoors until there is no longer any risk of frost occurring outdoors. Other maple trees can also be planted immediately after harvesting (in the autumn), but they will have a better chance at germination if they are stored in refrigeration for a period of stratification before planting. The seeds of the silver and red maple don't need a period of stratification and can be planted immediately after harvesting. Keep the seeds in a 50/50 mixture of sand and peat moss in a perforated plastic Ziploc bag. The temperature should be kept between 33 and 41 degrees Fahrenheit.

Store the seeds over the winter in a refrigerator for more than 90 days but no more than 120 days. However, some seeds ripen in late spring or early summer. When fully ripe, the fruit eventually falls from the tall trees where it can be collected and sourced for seeds. As maple fruit ripens, it turns green to yellow to brown.