How to Grow a Japanese Maple Tree From Seeds

The Japanese maple is the most delicate in the maple family.

The deciduous Japanese maple (Acer palmatum) is the most delicate of the maple family according to "Sunset Western Garden Book." It needs partial shade, especially when summers are hot. It also requires moist, but not soggy, soil with good drainage, and wind protection. Yet, gardeners cherish this maple tree for its ornamental value. In spring, its young leaves are bright red, turning light green in the summer. Fall foliage can be a deep red, yellow or orange depending on the variety. To plant a Japanese maple seed, harvest it from another tree in the fall when its seeds turn brown.

Things You'll Need

• Japanese maple tree seed
• Paper bag
• Heat-resistant container
• Hot tap water
• Plastic bag
• Potting soil
• Slow-release fertilizer

Instructions

1. Break off the wing-like structure the seed is attached to after you harvest it. Throw it away.

2. Put the seed in a paper bag and store it in a cool and dry place until late winter.

3. Take the seed out of the bag three months before you expect the last frost in your area. Put it in a container and fill it with hot tap water. Soak the seed 24 hours to soften its hard shell.

4. Moisten enough potting soil to cover the seed. Make a few small holes in a plastic bag. Put the soil in it.

5. Drain the water from the cup after 24 hours. Put the seed in the plastic bag, burying it in the potting mix.

6. Store the bag in your refrigerator for 100 days.

7. Choose a partially shaded planting site. Mix the topsoil with a 4-inch layer of compost 90 days after you complete Step 6. Work the compost to a depth of 12 to 18 inches, then leave the soil undisturbed for 10 days.

8. Sow the seed on the bed's surface and cover it with 3/8 inch of soil. Water thoroughly. Let the soil dry out before watering it again.

9. Apply a slow-release fertilizer after the seed germinates. Water regularly to keep the soil moist and pull all weeds that sprout near the maple tree.

Tips & Warnings

• Japanese maple trees also thrive in containers. If you plant your seed in a temporary place, transplant the tree before its second growing season while it's dormant.

References

• "Sunset Western Garden Book"; Kathleen Norris Brenzel; 2001
• Plant Propagation: How to Grow Japanese Red Maple Trees From Seed
• Texas AgriLife Extension Service: East Texas Gardening--Japanese Maples from Seeds