Looking for a stark red maple tree, preferably one that won't grow too large. Looked at the blood maple but was disapointed that it wasn't as stark red as I had hoped. The brighter red, the better! Where could I look for this kind of tree in Columbus? Thank you Margaret

Hi Margaret. You are in my neck of the woods.

In Columbus you can see a good selection at either Straders (My favorite: at Riverside Drive and Hayden Run) or one of the Oakland Nursery locations. And at both locations, the people know what they are talking about. Stay away from Lowe's, Home Depot, etc. as the employees there generally don't know as much about the trees that they sell.

I think that you would like the ornamental Maples that grow real slow and will only get about 12 feet tall.

PS. Listen to 610am on Saturday mornings: Gardening with Denny. The guy is a real guru - and you can call in to ask him questions on the air.

I have 9 Japanese maples, 4 green and 5 red. The largest is a 25 yr.old blood good about 18', you are correct not deep red. I tend to agree with Rick about lowe's and depot employees, however if you know what your looking for they have the best prices. My last purchase(4 weeks.ago) was a 5gal weeping lace leaf, "Tamukeyama" a finely dissected, dark purple, cascading habit) for $75. in the nurseries at least $150 for this size.

I purchased the upright version of this tree, maximum height 12'- mine is now 5 yrs. Old and only 5',from lowe's at clearence in late November for $25!! I do gamble on planting that close to the cold weather and I have lost some shrubs but never a maple.
They are all beautiful and putting on a show this time of year, and the fall is maybe even better with bright yellows' and orange. If Tamukeyama is too deep red, I also have a "crimson queen" which is a brighter red/orange.

If money is no object, do go to a nursery. They take a LOT better care of their stock. I hit depot and Lowe's the day they come in and get them out quick in the spring. In the fall if it's on clearance. That means, not even a Lowe's or depot employee could kill it. Pretty tough tree!! BUY IT.

I think the ony way I will ever know what kind of Maple tree that is in my neighborhood is if some one who knows Maple trees can actually go by the house that has it. It isn't real big and I wouldn't want it to be real big. It is absolutely the prettiest and reddest Maple I have ever seen. Maybe someday I can go to OSU and see if they have this tree and if anyone there knows the name of it. It definitely is not at Straders or Oakland Nursery (the ones on or close to Riverside Drive)

neffum, here are pictures of the tree that is in your neighborhood that you said you liked (via email).

Yes, that appears to be a Japanese Maple Bloodgood.

The tree in the picture appears to be about 15' tall.

Straders (on Riverside Drive) has them in stock ranging from $179 (for small starter trees) to $700 (for more mature ones).

Stop in at the Riverside drive location and ask for one of their arborists: Larry, Erin or Rob.

And by the way: I am not an professional arborist, and I don't work for OSU. I just saw the post and answered it.

And I was especially happy to help by taking the pictures - since the location is fairly close to me.

Also, FYI.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by GZDZ

I have 9 Japanese maples, 4 green and 5 red....

---

Would you agree that the pictures are indeed japanese maples, bloodgood?

Rick,
I agree 100%.

Well, there you have it Margaret. Both I and GZDZ agree with your initial thought: The tree is a japanese maple.

Check out the selection at Straders - and be sure to ask for one of their arborists to help you.