amur maple question

[waxworm09]

We are looking to plant 25-30 amur maples to make a snow fence/wind break on our property. They are 4/5 ft trees right now. How far do we space them? We have heard anywhere from 5 to 10 feet depending on who we ask, so not sure what distance to go with. Thanks

[waxworm09]

We are looking to plant 25-30 amour maples in our yard to create a snow fence/wind break. We are wondering how far apart to plant them? We have heard anywhere from 5-10 ft. depending on who we ask. What would be the best distance? The trees are 4-5 ft tall at the nursery right now. Thanks

[delcecchi]

Just to let you know, for some reason the DNR considers Amur Maple as an invasive species.

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

I was surprised to find that out last year. That Mountain Maple they suggest looks just like amur maple in the pictures.

[waxworm09]

I did see that they listed them as invasive. We called two nurseries and asked about them they both claim they are a very good looking tree very hardy and work well as a wind break. We live on 5 acres and they will be planted on the southeast corner of the property to catch the southeast wind in the winter. I'm not sure why they are now invasive, it looks like only a few states have them listed as invasive and they are available at every tree farm and on all the tree websites we looked at. So we will give them a shot and see how it goes.

[TR21HP]

My only question is why are you planting a deciduous instead of a coniferous tree for a winter wind break? They aren't going to provide much wind buffer in the winter as they have an open canopy.

[Dotch]

Last local SWCD info I could find on the amur maples was for 2006. It suggested 4' spacings. They may not provide much wind buffer but they should catch a lot of snow planted that tight.

[Fishalittle]

Planted at 8 feet apart they will touch when full size. They are considered invasive because they are heavy seed producers and can grow well from seed in uncultivated or un-mowed areas. So they replace native understory if given the chance. In urban areas I wouldn't be too concerned.....

[delcecchi]

I did see that they listed them as invasive. We called two nurseries and asked about them they both claim they are a very good looking tree very hardy and work well as a wind break. We live on 5 acres and they will be planted on the southeast corner of the property to catch the southeast wind in the winter. I'm not sure why they are now invasive, it looks like only a few states have them listed as invasive and they are available at every tree farm and on all the tree websites we looked at. So we will give them a shot and see how it goes.

Methinks they are getting carried away with this "invasive stuff".

[waxworm09]

We are looking for a snow fence much more than a windbreak. Our southeast corner is wide open now, we had a big shed there for years until last summer when we burned it down. We didn't realize how much wind we get out of the southeast until this past winter! Our sidewalk and driveway would be filled in in no time with blowing snow. So we mainly want something that will be a natural snow fence but will also help as a wind break and something that grows fast. We can get 4-5 footers potted for 8 bucks each which is much cheaper than anything else that size, that's why we decided on the Amur maple. We will possibly add a row of dogwoods in front of them not sure about that yet...

[fishersofmen]

I have 2 in my yard and love them. They are just kind of a neat little tree. I would go 10ft apart. Mine would still touch a bit at that distance.

[DrJ]

Funny, about 15 years ago I got a 25pack of them directly from the DNR.They fill in nice but they do direct seed quite a bit. Prune them heavilly(sp?)and they will become nice and thick. DrJ

[MN Shutterbug]

They're also quite attractive in the fall and make nice backgrounds for bird photography.

[Mr. Wizard]

Why would someone even consider planting something the DNR classified as invasive? Their foresters are educated and experienced....AND not trying to make a $ for their business. Wouldn't it be nice if we could go back and rethink how "nice" buckthorn was in a landscaping. Amur maples are prolific and very shade tolerant... they will inhibit other native trees from growing and create a monoculture.

[delcecchi]

8 bucks sounds like a deal to me.

There is also something called a Mountain Maple that, in the pictures, looks just like Amur Maple and is still in favor.

Another plant to consider is Forsythia. They grow about 10 feet high and really thick. They can be rooted from cuttings, have yellow flowers in the spring, and deer don't eat them.

I have a pagoda dogwood that is nice but I don't know how good a windbreak/snow fence it would make.

Here is a not so good picture of one forsythia flanked by a couple small norway spruce.

[LwnmwnMan2]

Creeping Charlie was sold at stores for erosion control. Just because something is available doesn't mean it's worth buying.

It's listed as invasive because, as we earlier posted, it easily relocates itself through seeds.

That's what invasive means. Doesn't mean the DNR is trying to restrict, doesn't mean "ooohhh LOOK OUT!!" Just means it'll move around on its own.

If you want a clean base under the trees without suckers growing up willy nilly all the time, this is not the tree for you.

If it's going to be off on the edge of the property, you don't need to worry about the neighbors complaining about your trees trying to grow in their property, or you don't worry about a nice smooth grass around the area with zero items other than grass, plant away.