imo.. the most important thing is the media .... when that is proper ... the pot nor the plant barely matters ...

winter storage may be the hardest variable ... and this is where the correct media might be most important ... shedding enough water.. that the roots dont rot off during dormancy ... i also wonder how winter wind would affect such ....

i dont know enough about aerial gardening to go much further ...

the link below offers many JMaps ... its rather amazing what can be mail ordered these days ...

ken

https://www.coniferkingdom.com/

https://www.coniferkingdom.com/japanese-maples-1/

Yes, that sounds good. I would leave it in its shipping pot until fall. For media, I would likely use a mixture of bonsai soil (which is what I use for all my houseplants) and some other good draining soil. Winter storage... I hadn't thought about that. There's certainly no way to bring the tree inside during winter, and I don't have a shed or anything. I had just assumed if it were a cold hardy tree it would just go dormant and wake up in spring. Perhaps just covering it with something would be sufficient?

I probably would not pick a Japanese maple. They dislike winter winds, which would seem inevitable on a high-rise balcony. And they have very cold sensitive roots, so leaving them outside over winter in a container puts them at a serious risk for root damage.

Instead, I'd consider some sort of dwarf conifer. And I pot up containers whenever the mood strikes and the plants available........any time of year!

OK, that is something I will keep in mind. I'll start browsing conifers. Thanks!

If a Japanese maple were wrapped in burlap for the winter, would that be likely to protect it from the winds sufficiently? Or is it just too risky for something like that. I do like the evergreens too, but there's just something about a deciduous tree that I really like...

I would be more concerned about the roots than the top. JM roots can damaged at temps below 25F, which is a relatively easy temperature to experience even in milder climates. And especially in a container that is exposed to much colder ambient air temps. I would worry about how you would protect or insulate the containerized portion...........

Ahhhh, I see. Hmmm. OK, I'll have to think on that. Are there any attractive deciduous trees that would be more hardy as container plants that could handle the NYC winters a little better?

How tall a tree do you want?

Ultimately 7-8 ft would be great. I was thinking of starting with something 3-5 ft ideally.

Have you thought about “renting” a container Japanese Maple. There are companies who “rent” container plants. You have a JM at its peak, it is then removed and warehoused/greenhoused.

That's an interesting idea, Jim. And it would certainly solve the wintering issue... But for me most of the enjoyment of plants and trees is watching them grow, seeing how they develop, etc. Nice to know also that you're giving a tree a nice home. :-) But it's definitely something to consider if we really want a Japanese maple through the nice weather months.

7-8' barely qualifies as a tree :-) You are probably looking more at shrubs that can be trained or are commonly grown in a tree form. A ninebark perhaps or Hydrangea paniculata. Or one of the many dwarf crabapples available (although many will hit 10' eventually but not quickly when grown in a container) - spring flowers, fall color and winter fruit.

Haha - true! The balcony ceiling is 9.5'. But a tree will only get as tall as you let it. Bonsai being the ultimate example there. I've seen plenty of mature Japanese maples in containers and yards that were under 6 ft tall.. I will check those suggestions you listed - thank you. :-)

The crabapples look nice - will investigate further!

Whenever you select a plant for a container, choose one that is a USDA zone or two below where you live. Example would be, if you live in zone 6 or 7, pick plants that are, say zone 4-5 or below even.

As mentioned, the roots are the most winter sensitive and while the tree can take zone 6, the roots in a pot will only withstand a zone or two higher than that, when exposed to cold winter temperatures.

Interesting - thanks. I believe NYC is zone 7, is that correct? I'll have to look it up... Yes, zone 7. Looks like there are a number of Japanese maples that are hardy down to zone 5. Will do more reading...

USDA 6 is the effective cutoff for Japanese maples growing in the ground. And the roots being damaged in the 20s when in a container thing still applies, is the important factor - the one that is more directly to the point than hardiness zones.

What about Dogwood or Eastern Redbud Trees? Hardy -10F beautiful ornamental trees.

Hi there KP, I have a high floor balcony just across the river in Jersey City and started a similar search around the same time as you last summer! Did you wind up trying the Japanese Maple? From what I've read, I think if it's in a non-ceramic container and wrapped in burlap during the winter months, it would be safe. I think the big concern, besides the roots freezing, is the amount of wind.

I thought of different dogwoods too, dwarf river beech, rhododendrons (which I love) or boxwood; what I tried was a smoke bush, at a friend's suggestion. It held on until September or October -- even growing a little from the beginning of summer -- but the leaves didn't change color, just dried out and fell off. Then I neglected to wrap the container as I should have for the cold months (it was pure homicide and I feel terrible about it). My buckthorn are coming back now which is beyond exciting; the rosemary and lavender did well and the lambs ear thrived.

I'm beginning the search anew for this year. I live on the south side on the 15th floor of a high-rise built on the tail end of the Palisades cliffs( roughly 130-150 feet above sea level), so pretty high up and windy as hell! I'd like to try a conifer this year and either smoke bush again or a small deciduous tree, like the Japanese maple for instance.