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MapleMounder
08-22-2011, 07:44 AM
The wife and I were out shopping this weekend and went to one of the big local home improvement stores. All of their trees and shrubs were on sale. They had 10’ tall, 2” truck “emerald queen” and “columnar” maples for about $30 a piece. We are looking for a few more trees for down our lane and around the house. We have only planted Green Mountains and Blacks in the past but the price seemed really good. Anybody have and experience with the Emerald Queen or Columnar? I know the Columnars crown only gets about 20’ wide but I wondered about sugar content, speed of growing etc. Thanks for any input.
maple flats
08-22-2011, 04:41 PM
I don't think columnar maples are just one species but rather a unique growth trait. If you google columnar maples you find norways, reds, sugars and maybe others. The triat bred in not to spread seems like it is counter high sugar. The sugar is made by the leaves, less top seems like fewer leaves. Just my guess.
cvmaple
08-22-2011, 08:01 PM
I 'm no expert but I dislike Norway maples as they will crowd out and kill any other species. Those trees are a nice size but I think the larger roots will take longer to acclimatize and get going. I would transplant 6 or 7 foot hard maples out of a local woods and that way you know exactly what you are going to get. Save your money for syrup or farm related equipment. Just my opinion but as I said I am not an expert.
MapleMounder
08-23-2011, 08:41 PM
Thanks for the replies guys.

CV -I hadn't thought about even though they are larger trees it will take the roots a few years to catch up.

Maple Flats- You are correct the columnar is a trait. I never thought about looking at the species. The leaves and bark looked like a sugar but I would have to look at the tag to be sure. Also I agree with less crown, less sap but the I was going to do some fill inbetween mature trees. On that point I could plant a regular sugar and by the time it gets big enough to interfer with the other trees they will probably dying.

Thank you both very much, all good points to consider. MapleMounder