Question
Hi Tom,

I have a very large Japanese Red Maple in my front yard. Today, after doing my first bit of gardening for the year I noticed little red maple seedlings (or sapling? not sure what you would call them) across my front yard and in some of my garden beds. They're still quite small, no trunk, they're just little two leaf red guys popping out of my lawn (about 50 of them!). There's one that has grown and has a tiny trunk (width of my pinky)

My question is - Can I move them into containers to grow into trees? How can I harvest these from my lawn without ruining the trees or my lawn?  What's the best way to care for them so that they can be replanted to grow up to be big beautiful trees?

Thank you very much for your time. I look forward to your answer so I can begin to mow my lawn again!

Answer
Hi Dominique,
Thanx for your question.  The best way to harvest these maple saplings is to dig down with a pitchfork about 6-8 inches deep and try to recover as much of the root as possible.  If you can safely remove some of the dirt (to return to the hole you just dug) that would be optimal and have the least negative effect on your lawn.  Let's face it, digging up a lot of these seedlings is going to affect your lawn cosmetically for a couple of weeks until new grass grows in.  You could throw grass seed on top of the areas from which you removed the saplings and the grass will grow in quicker.  Anyway, after removing the saplings, plant immediately in separate pots and allow them to get large enough where they can be transplanted in full sun in the desired spots.  This could take several months.  While they are in their pots, sprinkle some well-composted manure around them and keep them watered so that they don't dry out.  I hope this helps.
Tom