AusBonsai

Spring has well and truly sprung and for the first time in 15 years, the ground beneath my maple trees are covered in babies.....
I've always bought my seedlings from nurseries before, so i;m a little unsure on how to proceed with these little ones. Do I leave them alone for a while or do I dig them all up and put them into a foam box to grow on? When is the right time to dig them?

Good morning,

I had them in foam boxes before. I left them for a year, then transplanted them in the next Spring (end of August for me.)

Good luck with yours and please let us know how you go

I would leave them in the ground this season, water and fertilise to get some size.

Perhaps if it gets hot over summer, put a thin layer of mulch around them.

thanks Scott... So definitely don't move them?? It's just that there's a lot to do in and around these big maples at this time of year, and I didn't want to risk trampling them....

I suggested leaving them to get a bit of extra growth this season.

If they are in the way then perhaps it would be best to remove them.

Shane if you HAVE to move them, then with shovel, cut around the tree and remove the seedlings and a large sod at the same time. The roots will be really tender and if you move any this year they will probably break

If you lift the complete sod, then put the entire lot into a large grow box in one piece

Ken

Hi Shane
I also have small seedling trident maples growing in a pebble driveway. Normally I would leave them until there have grown and the weather not so warm but due to a lot of workmen stomping around I pulled the seedlings out and potted up in some unused tube pots. Ten days have passed and they are still alive. Did place all the pots in a shallow dish of water in the shade. Will gradually move into the sun intime.
Fiona