Do People Pay This Amount ?

[Nyboy]

Mary it is a dice roll

 

[bobm]

Bobm, were the trees you bought marked down healthy? The stuff I see marked down is so pathetic I wouldn't even take it if it was free.

Mary

The trees that I baught were dormant, but all of the trees were healthy, they all did their thing come spring.

 

[Jared77]

At that price why not? It's some labor soil amendments & maybe some fertilizers depending on how they are planted. If it doesn't pan out you're only out what you invested.

You have to have the attitude that it's a risk and it may not be successful. If it works you're up big if not well it was worth a try.

BobM got all those trees for less than buying just the Butterfly maple during the regular season. If I found a deal like that Id have tried it too.

 

[Chickie'sMomaInNH]

it depends on the variety and how thick the trunk is. saplings don't go for much if they aren't bigger than your pinkie finger unless they are a rare type. their shape also determines the price. those found at places like Home Depot/Lowes for cheap are usually common and not trained to grow with all the crooked angles most collectors are looking for. i've seen maples sold at those stores starting at $50. when i've gone to nurseries and seen much healthier and larger trunks with much better forms, i've seen prices ranging from $250-$700.

when i put in the ponds at my parents' house years ago i really wanted one of these types of maple trees to place beside the main pond. if and when i put in the pond at this property i will be looking out for a nice red Japanese maple to put nearby the pond. i was hoping to buy some seeds to grow them at a cheaper price but finding seeds can be just as expensive when you want them fresh and from someone who's trustworthy.

 

[Smart Red]

I have seen 'special' varieties of Japanese maple in catalogs for over $200. These are rare types in a still very small size. The right plant may well be worth that much if it has been grown for the nursery trade. A tree growing in a private yard is just too iffy, IMHO.

 

[PhilaGardener]

Home Depot in Vancouver, Wa. has these 4' tall weaping Japanese Maple trees in 5 gal containers for clearance sale for $10. They were sold for $49 last spring and summer. 3 of my neighbors have these mound type maples in their yards that are almost that size as shown in the photo. Last winter I drastically pruned and shaped one of them into a contorted tree that now looks fantastic. 2 years ago I baught 7 tree type red leafed 4 ft tall in 5 gal containers Japanese Maples around Christmas time for $10 each. Now they are over 10 ft tall. This spring I baught a 6 ft. tall , in 5 gal container varigated Japanese Maple " butterfly" from a nursery on clearance for $ 7.00 . It still had a sales tag on it listing it for $149.

I have a beautiful 20 ft tall Acer palmatum Sango-Kaku (a.k.a. Coral Bark Maple) that I rescued as a small tree for a few dollars many years ago. Often old nursery stock has been poorly treated, but I always give the bargain bin a good look.

 

[Smart Red]

Of course, if Nyboy was to start a Japanese Maple-growing business, he would grow his trees with proper attention to keeping the root in bounds are ready for transplanting.

 

[Nyboy]

I like to dream !!

 

[bobm]

To create character... think bonzai but in the ground. I plant a 5 gal maple,or other type of trees , 1 gal. conifer at an angle, then prune to create a new leader branch when dormant in the winter. Others, I use PVC pipe and bamboo and tie branches down with old panty /knee high hose, 12 ga. old copper electic wire to desired shape for a season or more to achieve the shape that I want. Prune and prune some more as the branches grow to achieve a desired shape. You can make just about any tree / shrub appear windswept, crooked trunk, and make their branches grow to just about any shape that you may desire.

 

[Nyboy]

@bobm I love that look and often buy a tree for it's crooked growth. I think the tree becomes a piece of sculpture.