Starting Crimson Maple from seeds

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bmblsad Northfield, MN(Zone 4a) Oct 19, 2008

My parents have an absolutely gorgeous crimson maple in their front yard. My dad took some of the seeds from the tree and started a new generation. He gave me 3 of the little saplings this summer. I've planted them around my yard.

Here are my questions: the leaves are green...at what point will they turn to crimson? will they turn at all (with dad starting them from seed, I wondered if the genetics would get a little mixed up and the crimson color lost)? do they need to be in full sun to turn color? am I expecting too much the first year?

BTW - dad is in the thumb of Michigan and I'm south of Minneapolis (z4a) if that matters. The saplings are about a foot tall and are planted in part shade.

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snapple45 Holland, OH(Zone 5b) Oct 19, 2008

Do you have any idea what the species name of the parent maple is? I suspect from what you describe it may be an Acer rubrum or one of it's cultivars. Even more confusing is that some of the cultivars of Acer rubrum are nearly seedless. So if this was started from seed the genetics could be complex as you indicate. In 10 days or so you'll have the answer to your question. Full sun is the preferable position. There should be a showing of color the first year.

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ViburnumValley Scott County, KY(Zone 5b) Oct 19, 2008

The other possibility is that bmblsad is describing a 'Crimson King' maple (or similar clone of Norway maple, Acer platanoides) in her parents' yard. Seedlings of one of those trees will run the gamut of foliage color in the growing season, from glossy reddish purple through washed out burgundy to plain green. Fall color will fall into the typical Norway maple range, usually yellows and very late compared to the native maples.

Take a look at the PlantFiles listings for these species, and see if one of them matches. That'll do a lot to narrow the commentary.

Red Maple Acer rubrum http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/58190/

Norway Maple Acer platanoides http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/53976/

Crimson King Norway Maple http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/73558/

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Resin Northumberland, United Kingdom(Zone 9a) Oct 19, 2008

Another possibility is Acer palmatum 'Crimson Queen'.

Resin

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bmblsad Northfield, MN(Zone 4a) Oct 20, 2008

Thanks so much for all the great input. Looking at the pictures, I can confidently say it is the Crimson King. My parents' tree is a deep, deep burgundy - just gorgeous. I'm hoping my little buggers will grow into the same. Time will tell. As always, gardening is teaching me such patience!

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claypa West Pottsgrove, PA(Zone 6b) Oct 21, 2008

Maybe not the best tree to have around... it's a big problem here, too.

http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/invasives/terrestrialplants/woody/norwaymaple.html

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bmblsad Northfield, MN(Zone 4a) Oct 21, 2008

Bummer...

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