The following was received via email: Hi, I'm a tree-lover from Jakarta, Indonesia. I'm much interested in planting any cultivar of maple tree, and see if they could grow in the tropics. I think that trees belong to this species (Acer sp) has beautiful foliage (it has dents and serrated). THis kind of foliage is rarely seen in the tropical big trees (not shrubs). And maple autumnal foliage is really beautiful. Is it possible to plant maple tree in the tropics? Where can I find the maple seeds? Thank you in advance for the informations.. H.P.
Evergreen maple species native to some tropical (or nearly tropical) mountainous areas, but no flashy autumn color display from these. And probably few will grow in hot lowlands. If you are in a high, cool area there might be scope even for deciduous ones with autumn color. It depends on what it is like in your particular district. Anywhere it gets below 40F for a certain miminum number of days the chilling requirements of various cold climate trees will be met. That is how it is possible to produce apples in some tropical locations.
Howdy Eric, Please tell the Indonesian friend to forget the Acer spp. as Ron said Maple will not have that fall color. If fall color is what our Indonesian friend wants, he will be better off to plant the rubber tree, Hevea brazilensis. Once a year, during the dry season, all the leaves on mature Hevea will have fall color before dropping all its leaves. Peace Thean
We do not necessarily have to have Fall color to grow Maples. Some Maples when the older leaves desiccate during a growing season can show Fall like coloring. Hot and dry areas are more likely to see this happen, especially in the red leafed atropurpureum dissectums but other non-dissectum atropurpurpeum forms can do this also. My concern more than lack of Fall color is that the deciduous Maples may not know when to shut down and go dormant when grown there. That can be okay for the short term and can also be not so good for us for any long term growing. If Fall color is not necessary then an evergreen Maple that is native may work instead. Indonesian maple Acer laurinum Jim
Hi, I'm the one who sent the e-mail from Indonesia in the first place. Guys, thanks for the responses. FYI, I've once read article about one species of maple (evergreen maple) native to Indonesia (and other tropical areas in SE Asia), namely Acer laurinum—just as Jim said. It's a rare tree found in the mountain slopes. Yet I notice from the picture that the leaves of Acer laurinum are "unlobed" (am I using the correct term?) and the look of the tree doesn't much resemble that of its temperate counterparts, especially the shape of the leaves. Besides, usually people in Indonesia don't have much idea about Acer laurinum or about its local names, cos this kind of tree is of little (or non) economical value. I agree with u, Ron, I also think that maple in the tropics can not display brilliant fall color, it’s just impossible. The temperature and the duration of daylight in the tropics don’t meet the requirements for the trees to generate such color. I just want to grow maple because I like the shape of its crown and the shape of its lobed leaves which are rarely found in the leaves of tropical big trees. Basically, I wanna try growing temperate maple, which has lobed leaves. For me, fall color is not the main issue. I wanna know where I can purchase the seeds and how much they cost.. When it comes to apple, as Ron said, perhaps it would be a surprise for you to know that, in tropical Indonesia, certain cultivars of apple grow well in some highland areas with cool temperature of 15 to 20 C (we commonly use Celsius instead of Fahrenheit for temperature:)). There is a small town named “Batu†in Eastern Java renowned nationwide for its production of apple. Apple orchards are common sight in rural areas around Batu. In supermarkets, even this cultivar of local apple known as “Apel Batu†(Batu Apple) costs more than the imported “Washington Appleâ€. I don’t know why, while it’s obvious that local apples are a bit sour and more juicy (has higher water content). H.P. Irawan
Some people join societies and organizations that have seed sharing offerings (seed banks) as part of being a member. You might want to consider it or you can register in the UBC forum and ask in the Sourcing Forum where can you get some Maple seed. I could be wrong but I think there are some Sugar and Black Maple growing in Indonesia now. Sumatra and Java grow some of the best coffee. If they can grow coffee you can grow Maples in Indonesia but you will want Maples that can handle sustained warm temperatures and high humidity. I think you are better off to start with species forms of Maples rather than have cultivars at first. If it were me I would bring in plants, not try to grow seed at all but if time is not a problem for you then seed is fine. Sometime look into Silver, Trident and Fullmoon Maples as I think with some thought and care you can grow them where you are. I'd stay away from named forms of Japanese Maples and resort to having green and/or red seedlings for now until you better learn how Maples will react, behave and grow in your area. Jim
