I have been out shopping for a new tree and am getting various negative comments about the success of shantung maples in clay soil. Most have said that they are only good for very sandy conditions and that is not the case in Flower Mound. Has anyone had any experience with this tree or one of the other maples that you see so often such as the Autumn Glory in these conditions?

Mine has only been in the ground for about 1-1/2 years, but it seems to be happy. We have shallow black clay soil.

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Listen to Neil Sperry every week, take notes... and then do the exact opposite.

We planted one 6/04, not an ideal time, but it was a nice one about 4 1/2 feet & 5 gal from a good nursery. We tried to dig a 'big ugly hole' but hit white rock probably 8" down. Left a nice root flare, no one could plant too deep in these conditions! It seems to be fine, grew nearly 2'.
Patty

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Plano Patty & Jim

Mine has done really well. Been in the ground for 2 years with 2 feet of growth a year. Frisco has very heavy clay soil. Tree's been great!

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Frisco, Texas

Plus Howard has recommended this tree heavily for the Dallas area.

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Sandi
Texas Certified Nursery Professional
Texas Master Naturalist
Organic gardener
Tree-Hugger
Native Texan

Our shantung maple came out nicely this spring & abruptly died! Saturday (4/15) the leaves were dried up & almost crispy! Thought I was going to cry...maybe that late frost damaged it? Maybe it will come back? It was about 5' tall.
Patty

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Plano Patty & Jim

I'm thinking that we had a real hot spell very early this spring and it may have fried it instead of a freezing problem. How's it doing now? Did it leaf back out?

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Sandi
Texas Certified Nursery Professional
Texas Master Naturalist
Organic gardener
Tree-Hugger
Native Texan

We were at our land yesterday-4/25-and the shantung maple still looked deader'n a doornail. I think we burned a small pile of brush too close to it b/c when I stood in front of the tree to protect it, it was pretty hot. DH of course says 'No way'. We did the burn 3/28. Tree looked dead on 4/19.

On a better note-we have 6 baby bluebirds in the bluebird box!

Patty

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Plano Patty & Jim