How much does a red maple sapling cost? Plus key planting techniques

The American red maple (Acer rubrum) is a large tree with a very fast growth rate. It can be used both as a street tree and as a garden specimen, and it has high ornamental value. Its leaves are very beautiful, and there are quite a few varieties. So how much does an American red maple sapling cost per plant? Plus key planting techniques.

1. How much does an American red maple sapling cost per plant?

The cultivation of American red maple requires relatively advanced techniques, and tree stock resources are scarce. Moreover, as new cultivars keep emerging, the market price of American red maple in our country fluctuates considerably. There are more American red maple saplings on the market than large trees, and the price is relatively affordable. Generally, saplings about 50 cm tall cost between 0.8 and 1.6 yuan each, while saplings 80 cm tall cost about 2.5 to 3.8 yuan each.

2. Key planting techniques for American red maple saplings

1. Planting requirements for American red maple saplings

Bare-root American red maple seedlings must be planted the same day; otherwise, they must be heeled in: tall American red maples must be planted on the upper part of a hill after terrain modification;

2. Selection of American red maple saplings

When orienting and arranging American red maple seedlings for planting, choose a full, complete, well-grown and beautifully shaped crown, with the face turned toward the main line of sight; the crown spread of a specimen tree should be complete; for group plantings, turn the full side of the crown outward and keep the front low and the back high; vines should be planted at the base of buildings or trellises, and their stems and tendrils fixed to the support.

3. Planting depth for American red maple seedlings

The planting depth of American red maple seedlings should ensure that after the soil settles, the root collar is level with or slightly above the ground; for bamboos, plant 5—10CM deeper than the original depth, firm the soil all around, tamp the mounded soil, and do not damage the rhizome buds.

4. Root ball wrapping, soil mounding and watering for American red maple saplings

The root ball wrapping must be removed from bottom to top; if the mud ball is loose, the wrapping underneath may be cut and left in place;

When the backfill reaches 2/3 of the root ball depth, firm the initial soil cover, water thoroughly the first time, and after the water has soaked in, continue backfilling to ground level, water a second time, then finish filling with planting soil;

5. Verticality, support and trunk wrapping for American red maple seedlings

The trunk of the American red maple, or the center of gravity of the trunk, must be perpendicular to the ground;

Supports should be staked according to the tree (cross-brace, shoulder-pole brace, triangular brace, or single-post brace are all acceptable);

When supporting, it is strictly forbidden to drive bamboo or wooden stakes through the root ball or damage the root plate;

The support height must be controlled at 1/2 of the tree height;

A single support must stand on the side of the prevailing wind direction, and the tying must be padded with soft material, and must be firm, neat and attractive;

For American red maple seedlings with a trunk diameter of 5CM or more, the trunk and the primary and secondary main branches must be wrapped; the wrapping height varies with tree species, and soft materials such as straw rope or hemp cloth must be used to wrap densely, and it must be firm, neat and attractive;

Number of American red maple seedlings to be planted. The planting number of American red maple seedlings must meet the design requirements; the number of saplings must not exceed or fall short by 5%.