Good afternoon, I am thinking about getting a Acer palmatum 'Corallinum' (#10 pot) for an unprotected full sun location in my front yard. Anyone have any luck with 'Corallinum' in full sun? Is it more subject to winter die back due to wind? I like the tree but I am afraid it's not the right tree for this location. Thanks in advance for your feedback!
I live in zone 5 (which I think is close to yours). I have always been afraid to try mine in the ground. I will say that it is vigorous in a pot, likes to be on the dry side, and doesn't seem to be much affected by anything (wind, sun, etc.) that usually burns leaves. That's about all I have. I would love to know if it survives for you in your zone over the years. Kay
Can a Corallinum live and prosper in full sun? The answer is yes. Depending on the soil type, soil pH, nutrients and organic matter in the soil, soil inhibitors and beneficials such as pathogens, microbes and impervious hard pan soil layers, drainage, mineral content of the water, water pH and water holding capacity of the soil. A case in point, where we are here with saline to alkaline soils with hot afternoon winds it is not good nurserymen's advice to plant Corallinum in a full sun location. However, if we can provide ample, steady supply even with drip systems, of neutral pH water in a soil that has adequate to good drainage we can succeed with this Maple grown in a full sun Eastern or Southern exposure with late afternoon wind protection, even in an Alamo, Yokohl and Hanford clay soil with a hard pan layer less than two feet down. As far as a 10 gallon sized plant, the overall shape and form must be to your liking. From a reputable growing source, probably from Oregon, then, unless you have an issue you are not telling us, based on the Maples you already have in the ground, I can say that true form Corallinum is not as fussy a plant as what you already have in the ground where you are! Here is your dilemma in a nutshell: if you want to see the richer Fall colors the more sun you provide this Maple will certainly help but for the first five years in the ground you risk some limb dieback, perhaps some wind (both heat and cold) burned leaves which are not so readily sloughed off, which does limit the timing of new growth, then once adapted this Maple could very well be a focal point, centerpiece, plant for your front yard. There is a risk factor that the plant is clean but the reward may outweigh that risk as long as this plant has time to adapt and does not go stagnant in its growth. Then this Maple may be able to get up to 25 to 30 years or more for you in the ground. Some cultivars life expectancy are not much over 25 years of age no matter where they are grown - keep that in mind with this Maple. Jim
Hi Jim, Thanks for the great response! You hit the nail on the head; I am looking for a nice focal point in the front yard. I was looking for feedback because my 'Bonfire’ bruised my confidence. But my confidence is coming back, by keeping everything very healthy during this crazy summer heat and drought. A friend of mine is getting a nursery stock order from Buchholz Nursery. He will add one to the order, but I have no way of seeing it. So given the purpose of the tree, I will take your advice and decide to wait until I have the opportunity to see one in person. That way I can pick out a good specimen. Thanks for everything!
