Hey GW/Houzzers (is that what we call ourselves?)

I’m posting this at two boards for help – Maples and Trees.

I’ve grown some trees from seed the last couple years – mostly oaks, with good success, and conifers, with varied success. Maples I have only dabbled in a bit.

This year, I’ve got some A. micranthum seedlings growing, plus some A. japonicum and A. sieboldanum. The micrathums had good germination % since I got really fresh seed (the wings were still “moist”). Even the “fresh” japonicum and sieboldanum from Sheffields only germinated at about 20% - likely due to the drying that occurs just in transit from the supplier, to Sheffield’s, to me.

In 2016, I want to dive deeper into maples. I’m looking for feedback, but also, anyone who has a seed-bearing tree that they may be able to part with seeds from this fall…I’ll pay for them or trade whatever I have at the time that I have a surplus of.

For the following species, I’m looking for feedback on technique, first-year growth expectations, seed viability, and if you have to play “tricks” like warm strat plus cold strat like with some species. I’ve grown 3 year old A. saccharum with simple stratification and gotten 90% germ, but yet even “fresh” japonicum was much less. I’ve read that for “dry” Asian maples, some need warm stratification, then cold stratification, even then a low percentage sprout. I’m willing to buy somewhat larger quantities to compensate for low germination percentages, within reason.

Acer buergerianum

Acer truncatum

Acer grandidentatum (these appear to be no more difficult than A. saccharum, but correct me if I’m wrong)

Acer triflorum – Sheffields has three seedlots available. One from 2010 with supposed 53% viability, one from 2006, and one from 1992(!!!). They say you need 120d warm strat then 120d cold strat. If this would work, I’d be willing to use “brute force” and order a larger quantity, maybe an ounce or so of seed (would be approx 180 seeds) to see if I can get a few at least.

Acer leucoderme – have yet to find a source for this one, but the 4 above are stocked by Sheffield’s, and F.W. Schumacher has at least some of them (their website doesn’t specify what is actually in stock, I haven’t contacted them yet).

Thoughts?