The sales of trees across the sunbelt went south when the housing crisis caused construction to slow or stop. If you're intending to make money selling trees, you'll want to first see if there's any demand. From what I've read Texas actually experienced less of a crisis than much of the rest of the country but you'll want to find out.

Secondly, tree farms do best when they offer the trees that are in demand and that people are familiar with. Even if it's a superb tree, if nobody knows about it, if designers aren't working with them or if it's unproven or lacking in the ornamental department it could be a huge mistake to grow a single species of tree. It's taking a huge gamble.

Now there seems to be one exception to the risk of growing only one species, and in texas, you'll already have some competition, but it's when it comes to Japanese maples. People go absolutely nuts over Japanese maples, particularly in hot states where they do poorly (only makes people want them more) and there can be big money in them if you know what you're doing.

As for Bigleaf Maple (acer macrophyllum) I'd imagine that since the native habitat of this is cool wet regions in the northwest that it would probably be stressed and do poorly in texas. Unproven to say the least. Have you found any mature ones? If not you'll want to check with arborists in the area to see what their opinion is on them before you take a huge gamble on growing them. Even if you're growing other things as well.

By the way if you're in an arid region, (even if you're not), you're going to need an irrigation source. If you don't have a reliable source, growing trees in that area isn't in your future.

Also transportation costs are high right now and will remain high more than likely. People will get their trees where it's cheaper. If the main population centers are getting their trees from closer farms that are in areas where its less costly to produce trees, then you're going to have a problem.

Yes. Following cheryl, you need water and you need to know something about trees.

Dan

Turnbulent,
What you propose would be risky to say the least, and you certainly need to educate yourself on the biology of Big-Tooth Maple Acer grandidentatum, along with business model, etc etc. However, if you can in fact manage that, and start as a small side business (limit your risk), then you might be able to develop a market over any years. In fact there is a new selection of Acer grandidentatum from one of the big growers. I doubt they would bother unless they expect there to be a market for them. But you would also be ultimately competing against large growers if you are successful.

End result would be to learn learn learn, start small, limit your risks IF you decide to give it a go.

Arktrees

Cheryl,

I appreciate the info, however this isnt the Big Leaf Maple, but the Big Tooth Maple, Acer grandidentatum. Yes I live in an arid climate, where we dont get much rain. These trees are drought tolerant. They will be watered by a well. The reason why Im thinking of focusing on this one tree is due to the lack of this tree in this area. I had to drive 8 hours to even get my "test" subjects. Obviously, Im going to test and see how they do in the area before I start a farm and spending so much money on them.

I suspect they will do well here. There are no maples that grow here(however I have seen the Shauntag Maples at the nursery). So Im thinking I may be able to get in before the demand starts, and possibly even start the demand.

I plan on starting small. Getting about 10 acres of land, and growing these trees for several years while working at my current job. As the trees mature, I will then try to grow them from seeds, and start the process over. I cant compete with the big box stores, or the other nurseries in growing the trees they have. However the Big Tooth Maple is not a tree that they sale, and I think there could be a market for them.

I'd wonder what advantages big tooth maple has over shantung, since that may well be the prime competitor. I did find a link to an info. page at Maple-trees.com that looks good, though, and says:

"Landscape Uses: This is a very good tree that should be used much more in the landscape, especially now that a grafted cultivar is available."

and

"Canyon Maple: A Tree For the Interior West
by Michael Kuhns, Extension Forestry Specialist

Wouldn't it be great if their was a tree-sized maple to plant in our landscapes that was native to the interior West (Rocky Mountain /Intermountain area)? What if this maple had fall color to rival a sugar maple (Acer saccharum), extreme cold tolerance, good drought resistance, tolerance of fairly high soil pH, and could even be tapped for maple syrup production? Well, such a tree does exist. It's called Canyon Maple or Bigtooth Maple Acer grandidentatumand it has great potential for landscape use in the West."

All that said, if a customer asked you what major selling points a big tooth maple has over a shantung, what would you tell them?

Richard.

Here is a link that might be useful: Info. on Big Tooth (a.k.a. 'Canyon') Maple

Turbulent, I'll add my measly two cents worth.

In my opinion, the trees should come AFTER you've done the research on your market, on the SOIL, on your water quality, nutritional program, pest management, and on your business plan. When I was hired to start a wholesale container nursery out in the middle of no where (practically), I spent nearly a year on that kind of research. (Our biggest problem turned out to be the well water, which was salty and sandy. Try growing plants with salty water! But I digress.)

But, lo and behold, landscapers and designers from all over began stopping by to suggest some of the plants they would like to see. I had customers before I had plants! I was able to sell a lot of the native plants I was personally interested in but the nursery was supported by the sales of the plants requested in large numbers by my customers. We were successful from the get-go. All of my customers came from about a 100 mile radius.

So you might want to consider a staple or two, such as Red Maple cultivars (you can purchase grafted liners) or others to entice people to take a look the Big Tooth maples. I'm all for your enthusiasm about this tree. It sounds like a good match for your location, and a fine tree. It appears to be a perfect size for the urban environment, too.

I'd advise a good book or two on this subject, and there's tons of information on-line. Don't jump into something like this without some solid info in your head. Your local extension office may be a good recourse for you, too. They were for me, when I was starting out. I also must say that my horticultural degree and experience was crucial to this project. Ha, I finally began donating back to my university (Va. Tech) because of that nursery adventure!

Best of luck to you. Email me if you have any questions.

Here is a link that might be useful: Clickee

What rhizo said. IMHO I think the bigtooth would grow as a street tree there, albeit on the smallish side. But is there a market? What if there isn't? What about the other 15 species you need to start to diversify?

Dan

For environmental reasons, especially in an area where water is limited for human use, I wouldn't try to grow or sell trees where trees don't naturally belong. If I were you, I would either start a nursery for prairie flowers, desert plants, and other native species...or I would start a tree farm in some other part of Texas where trees belong. (Trees grow well in the Davis Mountains, for example. It's a small market population-wise now, but it will expand over time.)

I also would sell saplings only, not mature trees. A large tree can take 10 years to recover from transplant shock. A sapling will often outgrow a large container tree.

I love your idea and what you're trying to do, but I think it's the wrong place for it. Embrace and spread the word about the wonderful native plants that you have in your region. Don't try to fight millions of years of natural history. In the end, I think the earth would win out over you.

While your collecting in the Guadalupes, you could collect Quercus grisea and Quercus muhlenbergii. In the Midland/Odessa area you could collect a few conifers(Arizona Cypress and Afgan Pine). In western Oklahoma visit Sunshine Nursery and see what they have going on there. They are Elm experts so maybe you could choose a few there.

In that part of Texas people need shade and windbreaks. After that the ornamentals. Your Big tooths need to come from the Guadalupe seed provenance.

If your seed source is from native Texas trees, you can advertise your trees as being native Texas. They will bring a higher price that way. There is a shortage of Big Tooth Maple native tree as they have limited availability.

It is illegal in some national parks to remove seed without permits. Be very careful about removing seeds/etc. without getting permission first.
There are other sources of Big Tooth Maple in Texas. The trees grow naturally in the hills at Lost Maples State Park and at Ft. Hood. Both of these sources are probably more heat resistant and a better source of seeds. There are several growers in the Utopia Tx. area.

Another native Tx tree that is hard to find is the Texas Ash.

IF your soil is alkaline, Red Maple will not grow there. That tree is normally limited to east of Dallas, Tx, due to its need for acidic soil.

Arizona Cypress (native rough-bark) grows only in the Chisos Mts. in Big Bend National Park and they will not give you permission to collect the seeds for private use. No one is raising it. However there are lots of smooth-bark
Arizona Cypress from Arizona that are raised over most of the state and which do well in well-drained areas.

Afghan Pines are not native and to do not do well east of I-35, but seem to do well in the drier areas (24" rainfall and less).

Cedar Elm, Bur Oak, and Lacey Oak are heat and drought resistant but are also fairly available in the nursery trade.
If you want to grow just one tree try it and follow your passion. The Big Tooth Maple would seem to be a good candidate. As others mentioned, starting small is probably a good idea until you gain experience.

drrich2

What do Big Tooths have over Shauntaug Maples? Price for one. Locally a Shauntaug Maple in a 10g bucket is selling for 199 dollars. I think I would sell the same size tree for about 130 bucks. Dependent upon how much I have in the tree.

My plan is to start very small. And for the first decade probably wont even begin selling the tree unless forced to. As in somehow the competition got ahold of some trees.

As far as those of you with the concern of not being native to the area, there are no Native Trees in this area of Texas. This was all Prairie. No Flowers. Simply Tall Prairie Grass.

Im pretty internet savvy, so maybe I could branch out and do internet sales for this tree as well. There isnt a whole lot of availability for this tree, so it may be worth trying it out. I appreciate all of ya'lls thoughts and concerns.

It is great to come up with an idea that noone else is doing yet. It sounds like you don't want to just be another supplier to the big businesses competing your price down. I have a business idea that I am in love with and am certain it will do well...even though nobody else is doing it. Sometime in the next few years I will venture into it when some of my little ones are in school. My investment, such as the 10 acres you will need to buy can be recouped should the business not pan out. The investment will be relatively small (under $10,000) so I won't be putting our future on the line if my business fails. I would assume your business model is the same, and keeping your job provides your income until you determine if this can support you.
Go for it. Do something you love.

Been here. Done that.

1. Don't put your eggs in one basket. I started with Colorado spruce. To this day it's my worst seller. You want to grow a minimum of 20 species. 100 species is better. This protects you from both a disease or pest and changes in tree fashion.

2. Don't wait until the market research is done. Start with a dozen or a hundred of whatever interests you. It will be a learning experience. Once you have 2-3 footers take them to farmer's markets. You won't make more than expenses, but you will learn what your customers want.

3. Don't buy equipment until you know you need it. If you can't use a piece of equipment 300 hours a year, you don't need it.

Are you planning a nursery for landscape trees, a Christmas tree farm, an orchard, or are you raising trees or lumber?

You could become the 'specialist' in drought tolerant trees for your region! Do your research. Add in some of the Southwestern evergreen oaks.

Ed and Dave, thread was 3 years old before sherwood revived it.