It's their own introduction. Perhaps noone has bothered to bring it in. When I went to UK in mid-90s importation of maples was verboten, according to the USDA handbook we had with us. Yet, it seems maples grown in BC are sold here in WA, so there must be some consideration made for commercial interests at least. Many other foreign origin cultivars belonging to prohibited groups have also had a way of making it into commerce here somehow, but two common examples being Choisya ternata 'Lich' (Sundance) and Juniperus squamata 'Holger'.

From the Gelderens' photos and description it appears the distinctive feature of their maple is the chocolate colored new leaves. Talk to some domestic suppliers selling other Acer davidii seedlings, I think you will probably find another example with this trait here.

The imporation of Acer palmatum is still the only allowed species without bootlegging the maple into the country. Unless the maples is to be "gift" in some way to an arboretum or special arrangements are to be made, I don't think you will be seeing it here anytime soon.

Even the efforts to bring a palmatum into the coutry by the proper channels is quite daunting. Washed or all soil, packed, inspected, inspected again, maybe a third time--heck, it is no wonder why we don't see more varieties crossing the oceans.

MJH

A dispensation for Acer palmatum would explain those coming in from Canada. The booklet said all maples were prohibited. Another comparatively recent (1986) Esveld selection, Acer x conspicuum 'Phoenix' is appearing in garden centers in my area now. How did we get that one over here, as well?

If Japanese maples can arrive here from Canada, could not Esveld plants be imported into Canada, and from there to here?

Scott

Yes, but then there is the ethics of it all.

MJH

Why would that be unethical? What is the reason for the ban, or at least the difficult bureaucratic hoop-jumping, on import of maples into the USA?

Here's another issue I've wondered about. If there are valid reasons to ban certain plants from the United States, should not our government and Canada's draw up a common list of such plants and work together to stop their import? After all, we share the same continent. What poses a threat to the ecology of one country probably poses a threat to the other, hardiness issues notwithstanding.

Scott

I am actually not entirely clear as to whether or not it is a ban on export or import ban, but I suspect the latter. Only red and green leaved palmatums can be aquired here from Holland. Variegates and yellow-leaved palmatums are excluded also.

As the the ethics of it, the illegal importation of plants into the united states should not be taken lightly. I am sure that it is done, but if restrictions are put in place, they are to protect native plants and production crops from pests and diseases. I am not saying I totally agree with the bureaucratic restrictions put in place, but I will also admit that I do not fully understand the implications of circumventing them.

I forgot to mention that you also need to get an import permit for the plants that would have to be sent to Holland and accompany your plants here. I believe they then have to be quarantined at your site for a certain amount of time and further inspected.

While we share a border with Canada, I don't think we would necessarily coordinate importation restrictions of plant material. We hardly agree on anything else as it is.

MJH

I was informed that variegated A.P. are excluded from importation do to a variegation virus which has now been show not to exsist. In light of the oak, ash and hemlock problems we are now facing, restrictions on plant importation will likely get worse in the future. I don't like it but I can understand it. David