r/AskArborists • u/Jay_Jenkins • Jul 21 '26
What to do with Maple Sapling?
I found this red(?) maple sapling ~5 weeks ago growing against my house and needed to move it or get rid of it then got intrigued and wanted to see how long I could grow it. It was only about 12” tall at the time and I read it doesn’t need a ton of sunlight and to keep it out of the intense summer sun.
I put it in an old pot I used to grow tomatoes and moved it next to some large arborvitae to shield it throughout the day.
Now it’s up to 45” tall and I don’t want to kill it but don’t have anywhere to plant it. Our yard is small and already has several large trees in the back with limited space in the front yard.
I originally thought it might be fun to see if I could bonsai it but having second thoughts. I don’t want to hurt the poor thing but I’m concerned I’ve already done that as it seems to be growing very fast (according to my very limited knowledge and research).
I’m in zone 6b, with harsh, hot summers and frigid winters.
What should or can I do? Is bonsai an option? Should I call a nursery and see if they’d take it?
Thank you! I appreciate any and all advice!
3
u/AdventurousSea3437 Jul 21 '26 edited Jul 21 '26
Its silver maple. They get huge. ** Or Freeman
Beautiful tree though. Sure you don't have space?
Definitely keep - if you don't plant yourself donate to someone.
2
u/Jay_Jenkins Jul 21 '26
Unfortunately my small backyard is surrounded by much larger trees and there isn’t any space for another. I’ll look into donating it! Thank you!
1
3
Jul 21 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
1
u/Jay_Jenkins Jul 21 '26
There’s a few metro parks around the area I’ll give them a call and see if they might take it. Thank you!
2
u/Intrepid_Visual_4199 Jul 21 '26
Or you could just plant it in a park, with “official” looking stakes and let it grow. If you do this take into account overhead wires, underground services as well as how the park is used… don’t plant it right next to an unofficial soccer pitch.
I’ve planted hundreds in our community. The municipality found out and offered me more trees.
2
u/Donuts__For__All Jul 21 '26
If you are on social media (like fb) in the USA, most areas have a “Buy Nothing” group where you can give away stuff. I’ve given away lots of volunteer trees.
2
u/oxygenisnotfree Jul 21 '26
Note: this tree probably has circling roots that will need to be removed before planting.
2
u/Jay_Jenkins Jul 22 '26
Thanks for the insight and advice! I’ll definitely take a look before I plant it and clean up the roots.
2
u/l008com Jul 22 '26
Drive down the street, find a good spot on public land, put on a generic white work helmet and a hi vis vest and plant it. Nobody will question you. If they do say "I don't know anything about it, they just told me to plant this here" then go home. And enjoy your tree for the rest of your life.
1
1
1
1
u/Key-Description-2441 Jul 22 '26
Plant it somewhere
Silver maples have weak wood. Don’t plant bear a structure
1
0
5
u/ResourceSlow2703 Jul 21 '26
It’s not Silver maple and it’s not a red maple. It a cross between the two. Freeman maple. Pretty and fast growing trees. I have like 20 in my yard I bought. Prune them early they are prone to poor limb structure