Source for 5+ Year Old Sugar Maple Trees - Where to Buy?

[BuoyChaser]

Looking into the future to replace some dyeing 100+ year old sugars as well some that have been lost over the years along our family's stone wall. Unfortunately there are not many in the woods. Would like to get some 5yr old or even 10yr old to get a jump start to get me closer to 30yr for tapping.

I see local Tractor Supply and online sources for 5ft tall for $20 for Acer saccharum.

Are there local programs, grants, etc that might help with this? We're in New Hampshire so haven't checked with local extension office yet.

[BuoyChaser]

Found this great tidbit to age younger trees.

http://maple.dnr.cornell.edu/pubs/trees.htm

Sugar maple trees average about 1 foot of height growth and 0.2 inch of diameter growth annually for the first 30 to 40 years. Hence a 30-year-old tree might be 6 to 8 inches in diameter and 30 to 35 feet in height. After about 140 to 150 years, height growth ceases and radial growth slows greatly. Although rare, old-growth sugar maple stands can average 300 to 400 years in age; individual trees range from 70 to 110 feet tall with diameters at breast height of 20 to 36 inches.

[BuoyChaser]

Best deal I've been able to find online.

http://www.arborday.org/shopping/tre...tail.cfm?ID=14

Item # 1004 (Roots)
Tree Size: Standard
Shipping Height: 3' - 4'
*Mem. Price:$7.98 Reg. Price:$12.00

Item # 4371 (Potted)
Tree Size: Standard
Shipping Height: 3' - 4'
*Mem. Price:$10.98 Reg. Price:$16.50

Sugar Maple
Acer saccharum

Landscape Standout
Brilliant Fall Colors turning yellow, orange, and red
Deer Resistant: Seldom Severely Damaged
Grows 60' to 75' high with 40 to 50' spread
Zones 3 to 8
Can't Ship to: AK, AZ, HI

[maple maine]

http://www.porkyfarm.com/sugar.asp




Don't know about shipping

[Wardner in Tewksbury]

Looking into the future to replace some dyeing 100+ year old sugars as well some that have been lost over the years along our family's stone wall.

I've transplanted at least 30 sugar maples that were growing too thickly along one of my stone walls. None had less than 4"-5" bole. All have survived nicely as open grown trees, but one died after 15 years and three were removed for hi-way redesign. The remaining are now tapable. If I had planted seedlings or whips, they would have never developed into tapable trees in my remaining life time.

I fabricated a scoop from a 8' diameter 1/2" wall tank. I attached it to a large (15 ton) forklift and popped the trees out with one stab. A big loader would have worked as well. A truck mounted tree spade is quick too. Unless you have alot of patience, think about planting big trees that are free.

[cncaboose]

If you are looking at trees at TRactor Supply check out where they were grown. The ones at the local store all came from a nursery in Tennessee. I don't know about you but I want trees that I know have survived a Northeast winter or 2.

[802maple]

I've transplanted at least 30 sugar maples that were growing too thickly along one of my stone walls. None had less than 4"-5" bole. All have survived nicely as open grown trees, but one died after 15 years and three were removed for hi-way redesign. The remaining are now tapable. If I had planted seedlings or whips, they would have never developed into tapable trees in my remaining life time.

.

I have to disagree, I have 2 hard maple trees in my front yard that I planted from saplings that I pulled out of the ground across the road from my place. I planted one of them 24 years ago and it was about a 1/2 in diameter and 6 feet tall it is now 45 inches in circumference or 15 inches at breast height. The second was about the same, but I planted it 16 years ago and now is 34 inches in circumference or about 11 inches in diameter. I fertilized them every year for about 5 years and maybe 2 times since with 10-10-10 fertilizer and watered them alot the first year. I could tap both of them now if I wanted. I would just talk to a neighbor and see if he had some to dig or even your own land. I have found that a sapling will catch on and grow much faster then a big tree will nearly everytime. I also planted some at a local town office with the same results and they didn't cost anything.

I most always transplant when they are dormant

[cvmaple]

I transplanted 20 or so six foot saplings in the fall of 2000 from our woods and they are doing great. For the first three years you must water them if the weather turns dry to get the roots established and put stakes up to support them as they are spindly. They are around 16 to 18 feet high now and nicely filled out. My neighbour planted some in 1989 and he put his first taps in this year. You won't regret doing this if you look after them for the first few years.

[jasonl6]

18-20 years ago my grandmother helped me plant some maple seeds in pots. When the trees got bigger we moved them to a bigger pot. After the 2nd year we planted them in the ground behind my house. I tapped them for the first time this year. She called them Silver maples (soft maple). I had 2.7% sugar on them this year :-). Another thing to consider is that a trees root system is as big around as the tree height. I have been told if you transplant the tree must grow it root system before it will grow in height. I transplanted a couple cherry trees 5 years ago and while they are doing fine they have not grown high wise more than 6". At the same time i planted Walnut's from seeds and they are about 4' high now. I prefer to plant smaller trees and use tree tubes and within just a couple years you will have a nice start to a sugar bush.

Also don't forget to digger a $50 hole for a $25 tree. Old timer told me to double the size of your hole (helps the roots establish quicker).

Jason

[lastwoodsman]

Being in the wholesale nursery business most of my life I can give you a couple of tips.

This is how even I would approach transplanting and moving trees.

We had for years spring dug maple seedlings from the woods locally in WI. This was prior to more modern methods in th industry. Although for creating a sugar bush this is the way to go to keep overhead low.

We would dig three or four dump truck loads a day this way in the spring for a week or two. Yes thousands upon thousands of them with a crew of 5 guys.

Find a woodlot that you can go into where there are saplings anywhere from 2 feet high to 10-15 feet high and up to 3/4 inch in diameter about measuring 6 inches from the ground. A woodlot where they are as thick as hair on a dog. Faster and easier this way. After digging, you can then grade them to uniform height before planting.

Pop them out of the ground in the spring as soon as the frost is out and you can get a shovel in the ground and the plants are dormant,no foliage!, (bareroot) wrap or cover the roots with a tarp as you dig. Get a pickup load and take them home to plant in the next couple of days keeping the roots covered in a shed and damp by misting with a hose.

If you do this during a wet rainy period in the spring your success will be very high (85-95%)or if you can water them on occasion. Buy doing this in the spring you ensure the ground is wet enough for a long period of time to promote root growth and most likely will not need addtional water.

I have dug dump truck loads this way and it is very successful. A very good way for the maple guy to expand his sugar orchard.

If I had the money I would love to buy a old farm and lay out the fields for the future by this method. No different than a Christmas tree farm.
Your success would be close to 100%.


Woodsman