Check with the state dept of Forestry in the Wildlife and Fisheries building on Perkins Rd. They sell native tree seedling for nominal fee and sponsor an annual native plant sale in the Fall. LSU also sells native plants in the Ag Dept.

Joeray, I wouldn't mind trying one too. Have you seen them at local nurseries? I'm also in BR.

We have the Florida Sugar Maple, Acer barbatum and also the similir Chalk Maple every year at the Hilltop Arboretum plant sale, usually the first weekend in October. The Florida Maple needs well drained soil, which can be a problem in some parts of Baton Rouge, but generally it should do ok here. I have on my Father planted over 30 years ago, most of the year it just blends into the background until the fall when it turns a wonderful golden yellow. Link to the Hilltop web site:

http://appl003.lsu.edu/hilltop/hilltop.nsf/index

Rdillem, I bought a chalk maple at the Hilltop sale two years ago. It didn't last a year. Does it have similar drainage requirements?

Natal,

The Chalk Maple is generally able to adapt to a wide varity of soils but it is sometime referred to as being a more upland tree and tolerant of more dry soils. It also does better in more alkaline soils but is adaptable. Drainage would be concern in much of the Baton Rouge heavy clay soils. If you are at the sale in the future stop by the tree section, some of the growers or people with more expertise than myself are usually hanging around and can better answer questions. Sorry that tree was lost, that was a good choice! Bob

I saw them for sale on the internet at a site in Florida called Mail Order Natives. Here's the website:
http://www.mailordernatives.com/servlet/Categories?category=Trees+%26+Shrubs

Did you ever find a maple?