Hi! Seems like a lot of good info/advice here...so I'll throw a question your way: What is the expected lifespan of stripebark maples? Does anyone have experience working with 40-60 year old specimens? I've been looking at several at my place of employment and many seem to succumb to fungal disease or some abiotic disorder when they reach the half-century mark. I'm starting to think these are typically short-lived trees. I'm doing what I can to prolong their lifespan, which at times seems like an steep uphill battle. Thanks in advance, cmw
I've looked/researched our shop library, which kindof/sortof mirrors what the Miller has regarding general maple lit. I'm looking for personal experience with older stripebarks...because there does not seem to be too many around? Although I've never been, I've heard that UBC has quite a few.
Some of the older ones around are in the Washington Park Arboretum. Those also have the advantage of having planting records kept for them. To see what other big ones may be in the area look at Jacobson, Trees of Seattle - Second Edition and Van Pelt, Champion Trees of Washington State.
Over here in Europe there are a few old (> 50 years) specimens (pictured in the Beaulieu book for example) but in most gardens you see mostly young (<20 years) specimens. When asked, people in charge mention early death due mainly to Verticillium wilt to which the Macrantha maples seem to be quite susceptible. Gomero
