How do I start a red maple?

Question

The tree on a neighbor's front lawn is a maple. I'm not sure what kind, but the leaves are almost a burgundy color. I'd love to take some of the seed it drops and start a couple new trees. Is that possible? When do I collect the seed, and how do I make sure it germinates? Assuming I start the seed in pots, do I leave the pots outside in winter? I live in central Canada.

Answer 1

It is unlikely you can start this tree from seed.

True Red Maple, or Acer rubrum, does drop a lot of seeds and grows from them.  I have also started them from softwood cuttings.  However, the true Red Maple is green all summer and turns red only in the fall!

the tree you describe might be a variety of Norway Maple (Acer platanoides) known as 'Crimson King' or it may be a variety of Japanese Maple (Acer palmatum).  One of those that is burgundy is known as a 'Bloodgood' maple.  Japanese maples are shorter, wider specimens and considered to be ornamental rather than shade trees.

Neither or these is likely to come true from seed.  I know the Crimson King drops some seed, but they seem to either be sterile or sprout green.  New Crimson Kings for sale in the garden center are budded or grafted individuals.  The same is true for the Japanese Maples.

Your best bet would be to leave the propagation to professionals and buy some small ones.  But by all means, if you want to experiment with the seeds?  It may be interesting!  I guess I would just watch for them to ripen and drop and just leave them lay on the surface where they may be undisturbed for a year or two and see what happens.