Questions Regarding the Autumn Blaze Maple Tree.

montecarlo1987

11 years ago

Hello. I have a few questions to ask you. I just purchased an Autumn Blaze maple seedling - actually 3 of them. They are all about 8 inches tall with all the very few recent leaves having fallen off them. They all have entered dormancy now. I received all 3 seedlings bare-root. The small time nursery is from the Springfield, MA area. I live in Upstate NY in a hilly part of Appalachian Mountains 3 hours west of NYC or hardiness planting zone 5. I have some questions to ask you about planting and potting trees this time of year. Please answer by question number below. I hope you can please help me.

1. If I decide to pot one now and transplant it next spring into the ground, can I leave the pot in indoors during the winter months? Is this recommended?
2. If I decide to plant it in the ground now (Upstate NY area, hardiness planting zone 5), how much time do I have left (what weather conditions permit/prohibit) this fall season before I am forced to pot it?
3. How big (deep and wide) of a pot do you recommend me to have or use for the over the winter months for a autumn blaze (if you recommend it)?
4. If I do decide to pot one, how often should I water an autumn blaze plant in the pot?
5. If you advise me to leave it in the pot *OUTDOORS* during the winter months, WHEN do I water it?
6. If you advise me to leave it in the pot *OUTDOORS*, do I leave the pot away from snow as to prevent the pot from becoming a potentially snow covered pot or not? Explain if need to.
7. How far in the ground do I plant it when the time comes or I do it now in the fall time?

Please reply ASAP.

Thank you!

This post was edited by montecarlo1987 on Sat, Oct 4, 14 at 16:37

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Comment (1)

Elektron
11 years ago
1. It would be better for the trees to be kept outdoors, especially while dormant so that you don't risk them leaving dormancy early. Generally, only houseplants should be kept indoors.
2. You can plant it, or transplant it before the ground freezes. If you decide to plant it, I wouldn't go and dig it up again.
3. Since the trees are only 8 inches, you don't need a very large pot at all for them over winter. I would put them into a 1 gallon size pot with a well-draining media.
4. Trees don't require as much moisture while dormant. I would only water them when the media completely dries.
5. Same as 4.
6. If you keep them outdoors, it would probably be best to keep them somewhat sheltered from the extreme temperatures. Snow acts as an insulator, so it wouldn't be the death of them if they were covered by it, although I would keep them under a covered porch or something similar.
7. When you do plant them, now or in the spring, make sure you don't plant them too deeply. You only want to make sure the roots are covered and leave the root flare (part of the tree where the roots meet the main trunk) exposed. Make sure to dig a hole just as deep as the roots go and twice as wide. It's better to plant the trees too shallow than too deep. Apply an area of mulch 1-2 inches deep around the trees, not letting the mulch touch the trunks. Keep the trees well watered during the first few growing seasons when they are in their permanent location.
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