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aleda79 · Jun 3, 2009, 04:19 AM

Some maple seeds from my neighbour's backyard fell into my backyard and started growing. I love maple trees, but I don't have that much space in my backyard to have a large maple tree. Is there a way that I can keep them small (about 5 - 6 feet tall)? That way they can also act as a perimeter fence.

Thank you.

tickle · Jun 3, 2009, 05:06 AM

The growth of Maple trees, or any other tree of that type is dictated by root growth. You can't control the root growth, so you can't control the size of the tree, which sometimes are quite large.

Just pull out the little plants. They are a nuisance in my garden.

Tick

jmjoseph · Jun 3, 2009, 05:09 AM

A friend of mine was into Bonsai. I think there is a way. It has something to do with trimming the tap root. Look it up.

tickle · Jun 3, 2009, 05:14 AM

Originally Posted by jmjoseph

A friend of mine was into Bonsai. I think there is a way. It has something to do with trimming the tap root. Look it up.

Bonsai are completely miniature, jmjoseph, and take years to accomplish that small (about a foot high). It is more then trimming tap root which is only one part, but trimming all branches as they appear to grow which takes a dedicated amount of time. Much more involved then OP hopes to put into a hedge.

And a suggestion when answering posts of this nature, you don't tell the OP to 'look it up'. You do it and give him the information in a post.

Tick

jmjoseph · Jun 3, 2009, 05:24 AM

Tick, I just called a forester friend of mine, and he said you definitely CAN retard the growth of trees. As far as my answer etiquette, I'm new to this , and simply meant look into it , which may mean go to the local LIBRARY, which I can't very well do myself. And neither of us know to what extent the op wants to go to for a hedge.

tickle · Jun 3, 2009, 05:35 AM

Originally Posted by jmjoseph

Tick, I just called a forester friend of mine, and he said you definitely CAN retard the growth of trees. As far as my answer etiquette, I'm new to this , and simply meant look into it , which may mean go to the local LIBRARY, which I can't very well do myself. And neither of us know to what extent the op wants to go to for a hedge.

OP wants a 'perimeter fence' that is the 'extent' as I see it. And what information did your forester friend refer you to. If you are here, you are on the net which is much better then a library, as far as I am concerned for reference material. I haven't gone as far as investigating Google for 'reduce size of maple tree' because I am a gardner and don't believe I would have the resources, or the time, to develop a small version of the maple tree in enough quantity to constitute a 'perimeter fence'. This work could not be conducted outside. You would probably need an indoor facility to accomplish this task.

Regards

Tick

jmjoseph · Jun 3, 2009, 05:44 AM

All I know is that I've seen, in a Bonsai magazine, an entire Bonsai forest. Made entirely of deciduous trees , in a man's backyard surrounding his Koi pond. All the trees are no taller than 36". Good luck on the gardening. I enjoy it myself.

tickle · Jun 3, 2009, 09:22 AM

Yes, I know jm about Bonsai. It is a dedicated art form by the Japanese. They usually work with pine trees, etc. There is much about this art form on Google. I would never have the patience or time to learn that skill.

I have a Japanese maple in my garden, they are a smaller version and the leaves are red. It never gets very high just bushy. Very expensive.

Happy gardening !

Kindest regards

Ms tickle

aleda79 · Jun 3, 2009, 10:35 AM

Thank you for all the suggestions. It certainly helps me to make a decision on what to do with the mapple trees growing in my backyard.

ballengerb1 · Jun 3, 2009, 10:54 AM

Are those seeds like little helicopters? If so just pull them out before they start making their own helicopters, that type of maple is more of a nuisance than a tree.