How to Grow Maple Seeds? A Detailed Guide to Planting Methods

The maple is a famous ornamental tree, with a graceful, lovely form. Its leaves are brilliantly colored and uniquely beautiful in shape, and can be used to make bookmarks, specimens, and more. In autumn they turn fiery red, and when they fall to the ground they become deep red. So, how do you grow maple seeds?

1. How do you grow maple seeds?

Choose plump, healthy seeds collected in the current year. Before raising seedlings, soak the seeds in warm water for 24 hours, mix them evenly with moist river sand, and place them in a storage pit. Take the seeds out half a month before sowing, spread them out to dry in a wind-sheltered, sunny spot, and carry out outdoor open-air sprouting. When about half of the seeds have sprouted white, sow them in a seedbed to raise seedlings. When the seedlings grow 3-5 true leaves, they can be transplanted.

2. What is the value of the maple tree?

The main values of the maple tree are economic value, medicinal value, and ornamental value.

1. Economic value

The wood of the rock maple is one of the most valuable high-grade timbers. Maple syrup: certain species of maple can produce maple syrup.

2. Medicinal value

[Nature, flavor, and meridian tropism]

Root: bitter, warm. Leaf: bitter, neutral.

[Functions and indications]

Root: dispels wind and relieves pain. Used for rheumatic joint pain and toothache.

Leaf: dispels wind and dampness, promotes the flow of qi and relieves pain: used for enteritis, dysentery, and stomach pain; externally applied to treat poisonous bee stings and skin eczema.

Seed: dispels wind and unblocks collaterals, promotes diuresis, and promotes lactation.

3. Ornamental value

① Gardens

Maples are planted as ornamental trees by homeowners, businesses, and municipal authorities. The Norway maple is a common example, because it grows quickly and is especially cold-hardy. In addition, the Norway maple is also an invasive species in some regions. Especially small or rare maple varieties are often made into specimens.

② Famous maple-viewing destinations

Maples are highly ornamental. When maples form a maple forest in large stands, the late-autumn scenery is extremely beautiful. There are four most famous maple-viewing destinations in China, collectively known as China's four great maple-viewing destinations: Fragrant Hills in Beijing, Tianping Mountain in Suzhou, Qixia Mountain in Nanjing, and Yuelu Mountain in Changsha, Hunan.

③ The ancient maple of Yangxi

Located in Yangbian Village, Yangxi Township, Taishun County, Zhejiang Province, the tree is 1000 years old, 26 m tall, with an average crown spread of 20 m and a diameter at breast height of 1.75 m. It is one of the top ten ancient and famous trees of Wenzhou City, Zhejiang Province.

④ The ancient maple of Huaining

In Huangjia Laowu, Wenqiao Village, Qinghe Township, Huaining County, there is a maple tree aged over 800 years. Although it has suffered repeated disasters and lightning strikes in the past, it is still full of vitality today. Especially in the depths of winter, the leaves on its branches are green tinged with red and are in no hurry to fall, forming a peculiar and beautiful sight in this rustic village with its simple folkways.

Maples have high planting value. Friends who are interested can plant one or two in front of their own homes.