Question
I am trying to grow a maple tree from a sapling and am wondering if there is anything special I can do to make sure the plant makes it to maturity.  We are renting right now and I will not have a permanent "home" (in the ground) for the tree for about another year or two.  Any special potting/soil type/fertilizing tips to help this tree make it to where ever we buy a place?

Answer
Hi Darlene,
I am really not a tree expert.  We have a tree expert on this site, Jim Hyland.  He was with the Forestry Service.  I have not had success with maple trees I tried to grow from cuttings.  It can be done but I think it takes a lot more expertise than I have.  You will find Jim under the Trees Forum.

Basically, with most trees, you can take 6 inch green wood cuttings in the spring, dip them in a rooting hormone and then stick the cutting in warm, damp sand and keep the bottom warm.  Be sure to strip all but the last two leaves off of the cutting.  It can take 8 or more weeks to begin rooting.  The environment must be humid and warm.  I hope this helps.
Tom