Why Do Japanese Maples Cost So Much?

Types

• Hundreds of different cultivars of Japanese maples exist with specific ornamental qualities. They are mainly propagated by cuttings, which take time to root and grow to a size that looks more tree-like than a tiny shrub.

Considerations

• Japanese maples grow slowly. Two decades may pass before the tree gets 5 feet tall and wide -- a prime size to install in a garden for instant visual effect. Japanese maples may be grown from seed, but they take considerable effort to germinate. The seedling also won't mature to look exactly like the parent plant. It may not be cost-effective for nurseries to invest the resources, and tree supply wanes while demand remains high.

Prevention/Solution

• Besides shopping around for the best price on quality and attractive Japanese maple trees, younger plants typically cost less. They grow in small containers and are easier to move and plant. The down side is that the maple tree may be only 2 feet tall and take 20 or 30 years to reach a more desirable 5- to 6-foot height.