Paperbark maples in MN? - Ask Extension
Hi. I live in the cities, now zone 5. I am interested in a paperbark maple for our yard. Monrovia says they are zone 5. I can't find any sellers of i...
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Paperbark maples in MN? #877315
Asked July 15, 2024, 1:58 PM EDT
Hi. I live in the cities, now zone 5. I am interested in a paperbark maple for our yard. Monrovia says they are zone 5. I can't find any sellers of it. Read that one is growing at the arb?? Do you know if they do ok in this region?
Dakota County Minnesota
Expert Response
Although zone designations have changed it is important to realize that zone designations are based on average temperatures. There can always be a year when we get a polar vortex” like several years ago that kills all the marginally hardy trees and perennials. Those plunges in temps if they are short don’t change the zone but they do a lot of damage.
Another consideration is that the Arb has many “favorite trees” home owners have room for one or two and it’s heartbreaking to loose a tree just about the time it is becoming a prized specimen. The impact of loss is so much greater.
I still consider planting zone 5 material risky and companies that guarantee their plant material do too. Zone “pushing” is fun but it can be expensive if the plant material has to be replaced.
Another consideration is that the Arb has many “favorite trees” home owners have room for one or two and it’s heartbreaking to loose a tree just about the time it is becoming a prized specimen. The impact of loss is so much greater.
I still consider planting zone 5 material risky and companies that guarantee their plant material do too. Zone “pushing” is fun but it can be expensive if the plant material has to be replaced.
