planting maple seeds Vine Maple

The Vine Maple, Acer circinatum, is a key component of forest understories throughout Northern California, the Pacific Northwest and up into Western Canada. It is closely related to Japanese Maple and other maples from East Asia, but it has a highly unique, almost magical quality which other maples do not. It is easily bent and can root at any point where it comes in contact with the soil. Hence, it can twist and reach toward the sunlight in a vine-like fashion, or it can bend over into an amazing living arch, or form an interwoven thicket full of architectural interest and color.

Vine Maples are usually small, multi-stemmed, and shrub-like, growing to typical heights under 25 feet with strong lateral branching. They can even be mainly prostrate. In more open, exposed locations, they are far more tree-like and tall, forming a central trunk and reaching heights over 60 feet. This is a great tree for all kinds of garden settings and all kinds of landscape uses. Put it in shade and accentuate the reaching, vine-like qualities; bend it across a pathway to make a living archway; plant it in a large container; grow it up an arbor; the possibilities are endless.

The diversity found in the Vine Maple’s forms is reflected also in its abililty to grow under a wide variety of circumstances, including both sunny and shady locations and places with different soils and moisture levels. Cold tolerant to 20°F below zero. Like its Maple cousins throughout the world, Vine Maple displays beautiful colors in autumn. It also presents lovely white flowers in springtime. It is an important species to birds and animals and has played a great role also in the history of Native Americans in the Pacific Northwest, who knew the Vine Maple as “Basket Tree,” and used it for making baskets and many other utensils crucial to everyday life.

---

Growing a tree from seed is a magical and fascinating experience for people of all ages. Our 100% guaranteed Grow Kits provide everything you need to germinate some of the world's largest and most interesting tree species from seed — seeds, growing medium, a mini-greenhouse, and detailed instructions, which lead you through the whole process, from cold-stratifying your seeds to germination and transplanting.

---

If your seed fails to germinate or your seedling perishes, we are happy to provide free replacement seed. We encourage all customers experiencing difficulties growing their trees to contact us through our toll-free "Tree Help Line" (1-888-387-3379).