Lou- thanks for your response. I'v seen few good tutorials on grafting online and one of them is " herons bonsai". I wander what is a rootstock used for those maples? I guess I could always ask Metro maples, they grow them and they also patented them, they are very nice and do respond very fast to emails. Once I get seeds from my maples ( quite a few on the tree) I will try to grow from a seed it might be fun.

Where can I purchase this Shantung maple in Orange County CA?

I had to go up to nursery's n Lake Arrowhead & Big Bear. They are not always there, so call first.

Thanks Pecci. That seems like a hassle. How much were they if you don't mind me asking?

I found a nursery online that can ship a 5-6ft tree for $170. Is it a lot cheaper than that?

I think I'll give a couple of local nurseries a call tomorrow.

We like heading up to the mtns, so we enjoyed the trip and had lunch overlooking Lake Arrowhead.

I was looking for ''Redpointe'' and bought either a 3 or 5 gallon, for about $60.

A few yrs. ago I bought a Truncatum ''Mainstreet" on line and it is doing very well, but I have also lost some.

I have a the Truncatum (species) in a I think a 3 gal. It's about 4 1/2' tall. You can have for whatever you want wish to give for it. Where abouts are you in SoCal?

I'm in orange county. Garden Grove

Me too. Let me know if you are interest.

I'm interested. Are these the original Shantung or a hybrid? I don't know what to offer so just shoot me an asking price.

Can you post a photo of it?

Thanks!

Edit: I have an autumn blaze. about 8-10ft? In a 10-15 gallon. If you wanna trade? lol

This is the the spiecies (original). I'll send a pic to,,orow, when the sun is out.

Not able to send a photo here. PM your email and I'll do it that way.

cant see how to PM

andrew4ceo@hotmail.com

James where did you get the autumn blaze maple from?

Purchased from arborday.org

they dont ship to california. how did you get it?

It was here: https://mendocinomaples.com/acer-species-cultivars/acer-species/acer-truncatum/

It is out of stock. There may be a few more options. Whereabouts do you live in CA?

Hmm. Strange! Not sure, I ordered some flowering magnolia trees and they threw the autumn blaze for free. It was 1 ft tall when I got it 2 years ago. (been trying to sell the autumn blaze)

As for the Shantung maple. I just got that too. And it grew more than 3 feet so far. Planted it in the spring.

i live in the oc area as well

it includes ca in the no shipping list https://shop.arborday.org/autumn-blaze-maple-2

I found the nurseries in the Lake Arrowhead & Big Bear areas had some good selections. That is where I bought my ''Redpointe'' red maple. It along with my Shantung "Main Street" They have been in the ground for 4+ and 3 yrs. respectively (both around 12'), and they show no leaf-burn until after the fall colors arrive, which is normal. They are beautiful.

Going to bed now. If I can help more, let me know. I'll check back tomorrow.

My shantung maple from last year( it was 12 feet tall) succumbed to early spring rain in Dallas Tx, so I have replaced it with the same size and it is doing fine, since May it has put up a grow about 2 feet . Remain to be seen if it will fair better after winter.

Update on big tooth. It is doing fine so far, but it is definitely a slow growing . We had a big wind in spring and it has lost a big brunch. I feel that those maples are fragile trees. Last year we had early freeze so no autumn show of the leaves... hopefully would be better this year.

Happy gardening!

Is your Shantung of the 'Fire Dragon' variety, or is the species?

Yeah, I see it. But back then, they delivered to CA. I didn't get it anywhere else. lol

I have the Fire Dragon shantung, waiting to see what fall colors look like!

what is the best acer rubrum cultivar for southern california?

The variety 'Redpointe'. Nothing else comes close.

Pecci, My shantung maple is " red dragon" I got it from "metro maples" I also have a baby dragon and that one is growing well, although not sure I like the shape of it.

hey im the alt account for some random guy, can i see photos of your redpointe?

my email is yologoumil@gmail.com

I am from Texas. Cannot find these maples where I live. Can anyone suggest some good mail order nurseries? Thanks!

https://www.metromaples.com/

My shantung is still hanging on after 2 years

Mine has grown over 4ft since planting it in April. Has done way better than my Japanese maples in the hot SoCAL sun.

The newly planted Shantung (middle) has already outgrown my Bloodgood (right) I planted 3 years ago.

They look beautiful. The Jap. Maple is a smaller tree that will grow more slowly.

James, those maples look great. Mine Red dragon Shantung maple has grown 3 ' since I planted in May. I will make a photo tomorrow, its to dark now

@tennisanyone17 please do! I want to see if the growth habit of the Shuntung is similar to mine? The branch is growing out like fireworks?

Not as graceful as the Bloodgood in regards to branching.

Hi James, thanks for posting the picture! Has the Shantung started showing any fall colors yet? I'm in the Bay Area and curious if we still get the fall colors with our warmer weather.

no colors this season. im guessing next season once it gets established.

Hello Suzanne, yes you will get fall colors if your tree is established. The bay area does get cool enough in the fall and winter

Here it is mine Shuntung fire dragon today. planted in May this year. New growth is all above the fence. Some fall color. Lost a lot of leaves.

tennisanyone17's Ideas · More Info

Either its dying or I'm getting fall colors. I gave it a good deep watering with fish emulsion 2 days ago.

Maybe both! No, that what mine is doing, especially since we're having such a warm fall. Allowing the soil to dry out a bit in fall, can enhance the colors.

I'd go for the native Bigtooth Maple (Acer grandidentatum) now!

Well my bigtooth didnt make it past 1 year but my shantung is still going strong on year 3

I still have a big tooth , it is a 3rd season and finally is showing a new growth, it is over 14' tall. I also have 2 fire dragon shantung maples and a baby dragon, they are doing well so far.Sorry to here about your big tooth.

I've been looking for a Bigtooth for years but can't find any around here. Anyone know of a Texas nursery or online that has them in stock?

I got it from Covington nursery in Rowlett Tx. You can check their website inventory and call them too. It is usually well stocked nursery.

Try Oaks of the West

Covington's hasn't had them for a couple of years, unfortunately. The last time I asked they said their supplier hasn't been able to get them.

"B" . Ugh sorry to hear that, Bigtooth maple's do grow way slower then Shantung do. Looking at it now and comparing them in my yard ,Shantung Red dragon by the end of this year will be taller than the Bigtooth maple. Covington does have a Shantung maple , but not a fire dragon specimen. I was there yesterday and got a paperbark Japanese maple, such a pretty maple.

Sounds like you're having better luck with your Shantungs than I am. I've had tons of problems. I bought 2 Fire Dragons and 1 regular from Metro Maples in 2016 and they've grown about 6-8 inches per year, with one of them randomly croaking two years ago. After I started supplementing with chelated iron last summer they perked up in terms of leaf health, growth rate, and fall color so I will see how they do.

The day after I originally replied I noticed that a Bigtooth seed I bought in a pack from PlantsOfTheSouthwest germinated in the fridge. Fingers crossed!

We planted a Big Tooth Maple at my daughter’s school here in Austin a couple of years ago. The growth rate has pleasantly surprised me. So far its grown a couple feet a year easily. Thats in full sun with minimal care too.