can anyone ID my Pike's 'surprise' tree?

16 years ago

I bought a 15ft tree at Pike's a couple of months ago, which was only $10 because it had no label on it. No-one there could identify it. We have about 1/3 acre of yard that we have cleared ivy from and want to plant...so bargains are very welcome at the moment! (I almost cleared out their 70% off rack -- bought spireas, wiegelas, leucothoes, abelia, pieris for great prices - i love Pike!).

Now its starting to flower with deep red spiky flowers. I've seen the same tree a lot around Atlanta but i dont know what it is -- can anyone help?

Thanks!

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Comments (10)

Iris GW
16 years ago
I would guess a maple.
petalnet
16 years ago
I too am thinking Maple. If it is, it's kinda bad that the Pike's people couldn't identify a MAPLE!
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don_licuala
16 years ago
...and since it seems to have branched so low on the main stem, maybe a Silver Maple.
Iris GW
16 years ago
No, we should hope it's something nicer like a Japanese Maple! Although 15 feet is kind of big.

Petalnet, I thought the same thing ... the opposite leaf bud structure on a maple is pretty distinctive (of course other trees have opposite leaves, but it's a definite clue).
buford
16 years ago
It looks like a larger form of my small Japanese Maple, so that's probably what it is.
mayland
Original Author
16 years ago
Thank you everyone! We have wanted a Japanese maple for ages, so getting a surprise one for $10 feels very fortunate.

I asked a few people at Pike when i bought it, and no-one could identify it!
nippersdad
16 years ago
Hello Mayland:

Don't get too excited just yet. This looks like a red maple to me; and they are blooming right now. Still great trees, but not Japanese maples. Congrats on getting such a large specimen for such a good price!
mayland
Original Author
16 years ago
oh dear, i think you might be right, Nippersdad! It does look a lot like the huge trees that are blooming red right now.

Pike told me "it definitely won't be anything big, because we don't sell anything that gets to a big tree size". Ummmm!

If it is a red maple, I think we will need to move it as we planted it pretty close to the driveway (about 3ft away). When would be the best time to move it -- can we do it soon or should we wait until next winter?

Thanks for your help.
georgia-rose
16 years ago
The bark looks like my Acer japonicum's. also a very desirable Japanese Maple species. Post a photo of the leaves, once they unfurl and we can see if that is it.
I would go ahead and move it now, if you need to. The roots have not had time to spread and it will be easier to move.
I would also stake it, after the move. Once the foliage emerges, strong winds will often tip them over, since they are shallow rooted. Mulch the roots with 5-6" of shredded bark, leaves, pine needles, etc. and keep the soil moist.
After the foliage emerges, fertilize with a balanced fertilizer (13-13-13 is fine) and again in late August. A cup full should be adequate for a small tree. Increase amount as tree grows to larger size.
mayland
Original Author
16 years ago
this is such a nice forum, thank you for your help. I will post a photo once the leaves are out, but this is what its doing at the moment, in case this helps identify.

thank you all!