Is it too Late???

[fishin_spooge]

Hey guys, I am wondering if it is too late to plant trees due to the weather? I have an opportunity at some maples at a pretty cheap rate.

Thanks for the help. Justin

[nofishfisherman]

I just planted 2 trees last weekend (1 Northstar Cherry and 1 hydrangea of some sort that my wife liked) so I'm hoping this cold isn't going to do much. I'm guessing one quick blast of moderate cold won't do too much since we are supposed to warm back up again.

[Steve Foss]

Justin, fall planting of deciduous trees is easily done after the trees have lost their leaves (become dormant) but before the ground is frozen. And fall is a great time to plant. I'd buy them and plant them anytime now, since even in the Twin Cities leaves are starting to change color, and maples should be dormant there within a couple weeks.

Plant them just as you would if it was in May. Watering in deciduous trees during dormant autumn planting isn't necessary for the growth of the tree because snowmelt in spring will provide the moisture they need for initial budding, but you should water them in anyway because that helps eliminate air pockets around the roots.

If you mulch them with wood bark or shredded wood or similar mulch and support them with stakes/posts/wire/rope, all you'll have to do come May is watch them leaf out, since your work will all be done this fall.

What size and species are the maples?

[fishin_spooge]

They are 4" trunk, 10-15 high scarlet jewell maples. Thanks for the info, I'd be getting 3 for about 250.

[Steve Foss]

That's a great price. That cultivated variety generally turns color a couple weeks earlier than other red maples, so likely they are already turning or have dropped their leaves. Either way I'd say you're good to plant them right away.

Ball-and-burlap, I'm assuming (4-inch trunk is a bit big for potted trees), or are they being dug and transferred with a tree spade?

[fishin_spooge]

Thanks for the advice, they are potted, and prob a 3" trunk in reality.

[nofishfisherman]

Heck of a deal, especially for that size.