Question on growing trees from seedlings?

[snowmm]

What's the best way to grow lots of seedlings?

I have decided that I'm going to try my hand at growing a grove (not sure how many trees a grove is) of Sugar Maples. Today I got my hands on about 30 (maybe more) 4-10" seedlings. I know I can't put them in their final resting spots right now so what's the best way to grow them for now? Should I put them in individual containers or in rows in one BIG container. Any idea on how far apart I should plant them so I don't have to replant them until the fall of 2009? If you have a web site...I haven't searched yet...that I can use I"ll be glad to go there to get my questions answered. (AlphaDog - I still have plenty to ship to you. As agreed.)

[PlantSwap]

... I know I can't put them in their final resting spots right now ...

Why not?

If you plant them while young, they will develop better root systems.

[gardeningmom]

I would plant them now also. Why keep changing their growing environment. They will grow better in the ground and be acclimated to their area. Tree farmers put those little whipper snappers in the ground young!

[snowmm]

I'm afraid that the deer would eat the little ones and if they didn't get to them the lawn guys would. BUT I can day about 24 hours to think about it.

Thanks! I honestly hadn't given it much of a thought. I figured I'd need to let them grow a bit more.

[Mandy]

I don't know if you have a small piece of land that you can use as a "nursery" per say. We have a section along side our shed where we have saplings growing until it's time for them to be relocated. We can fence it off as needed. Maybe you could try that. We have an acre and a half and live in a primarily rural area where deer and rabbits like to help with pruning!Lol! So a fenced off area would allow them to grow peacefully. Best of luck.

[bali]

Get a better start if planted now.......Root will be stronger and longer.

I pulled strong plants in the woods and did them.. i love Maple leaves.

[ok_nurse]

I've grown maples from seed and I keep them by my house for the first two years so I can water them and attend to them easier, then I relocate them when they are about 8-10 foot high- usually second year. They handle the transplant just fine but I plant in the spring when we have good rain. They need to be babied until they have a good root system. I deep water them every day after transplant for a few weeks until I see new growth, then I taper off and let nature takes its course. Maples are hardy.
I certainly wouldn't put the seedlings in pots or you'll stunt them. They will be good to transplant spring of 2009 if you wait that long. We transplanted a 15 foot clump maple this spring and it is doing fine-got it out of the ground pretty easily too.
Good luck to ya
-Donna

[snowmm]

I have 2 acres to plant on and I was going to start this grove at the farthest corner from the house. Water will have to be transported.

I had to pull the seedlings up from my parents. BUT I just remembered I have this bed that I put some spare plants in last fall. I need to move those plants now. I've not done much with the bed because it's not in my radar planning range. It will be perfect for the seedlings right now AND small enough that I can protect it from the critters that would come into my yard.

I'm slowly getting my plants in the ground. I have make myself dig five holes a day and STOP going to the nurseries...just to look.

[bali]

Do it ...Now is a great time to move trees......Fall is iffy.

[snowmm]

I thought fall was the best time to move plants...our summers are really dry around here and get hot. Okay - so now... When I get home I'll round up the area I want to put them in and by Friday I should be okay to plant them.

[bali]

Yes it will.Just make sure they done run out of water all summer an fall.

YOung an restless.

b

[Mandy]

We have the same problem with watering things out of our hoses reach. Look at transporting the water this way, a new form of weight-bearing exercise!!!! Lol

[bali]

I have a rain barrel.....Tall plastic barrel from SOda makers. It is under the rain spout.....I have a barrel all the time from the rain.....Sure saves hosing it all.

Or any rain catcher will do....Old bath tub....

[gardeningmom]

I'm looking to get a rain barrel this year because the price of water for us is going up-and-up! Might as well take advantage of free!

[bali]

Smart girl.....
We got the barrels free......Friend worked for a soda pop place.. They are ral hard plastic.

One trick my brother used.. I made him a real large flower pot with posies in it.. He sat it under the run off on the garage roof.. Didnt have to water>LOL
Best water for them.