Acer rubrum 10 seeds

This is the predominant maple tree in the eastern United States. However, it has not been used for bonsai nearly enough given the amount of material available. This maple in nature is highly adaptable to many environments and can be found in low soil lands rich in clay and water, as well as higher dry, rocky soils and everything in between. Collecting specimens is quite easy, but often the larger specimens experience die-off of the main branch within the first year of collection. While leaves are quite large overall soil mixture, pinching and leaf pruning can have an impact on leaf size for trees under bonsai cultural conditions. Internodes will vary from large companies on a vigorous new shoot to very small ones on a tightly branched branch. Vigorous pinching is necessary to maintain good branch structure. Red maple will not only make a beautiful tree during the summer months with bright green leaves, but also put on a beautiful display of fall colors from yellow to reddish-orange. From my perspective the best time for this tree is early spring when it puts on a beautiful flower display of bright red flower bundles before the leaves emerge.