Sango-kaku

[gallina1594]

So my parents have this sango-kaku that had a lot of die off the past 2 winter's. There's still a live branch on it, and there's new growth all over the trunk, so I have hope! But my parents want to rip it out and start new.

What's your experience with sango-kakus? Think I should try to bonsai this ugly stump?

 

[just.wing.it]

I would.

 

[gallina1594]

I would.

I'm from zone 5, is it too late to dig it up?

 

[just.wing.it]

Well, if it's leafed out, it iffy... it's best to wait until early spring, just before the buds open.
In the pics, it looks like its partially leafed out....I'd wait if possible.
But if it can't wait, might as well try...it's gonna become firewood anyway.

 

[gallina1594]

Well, if it's leafed out, it iffy... it's best to wait until early spring, just before the buds open.
In the pics, it looks like its partially leafed out....I'd wait if possible.
But if it can't wait, might as well try...it's gonna become firewood anyway.

I think it should hold out for the summer, idk what this trees problem is. It's main trunk keeps dying and is forced to start a new one. I think it's so gnarled and rotted in some spots that it's effecting the living portion. Taking it out and cleaning it up next spring will hopefully help it out

 

[aphid]

I can never keep Sango kaku alive, either. Do you have an unheard garage to keep it in winter? If it couldn't thrive in the ground, it would probably meet the same fate in a pot unless you can offer more protection.

 

[gallina1594]

I can never keep Sango kaku alive, either. Do you have an unheard garage to keep it in winter? If it couldn't thrive in the ground, it would probably meet the same fate in a pot unless you can offer more protection.

Yes I do have an unheated garage! I keep a lot of my bonsai in there during the winter. Mostly the babies, and the fragile ones! Lol

 

[just.wing.it]

Hmm, that's weird...
I wonder why that keeps happening...

 

[Dav4]

Verticillium wilt would be my guess

 

[rodeolthr]

I think it should hold out for the summer, idk what this trees problem is. It's main trunk keeps dying and is forced to start a new one. I think it's so gnarled and rotted in some spots that it's effecting the living portion. Taking it out and cleaning it up next spring will hopefully help it out

Sango kaku is notorious for being far less cold hardy than many other acer palmatum. I often see it listed as hardy only to zone 6, but I believe zone 7 is probably more accurate. This could perhaps explain why it has not prospered in its current location.

 

[iant]

I hate to be negative but I would never plant a coral bark maple. They always look anemic. You see them in front of peoples houses and I've never seen even one that looks like it's even halfway close to thriving. and I live in a place where it'sa pretty easy life for plants ... ( San Francisco Bay Area.) Maybe they do better in other parts of the country? They are unique, but they always look like they're half dead.
Ian

 

[LanceMac10]

Kept this alive for six years or so. Goes on the poly'd up porch in winter so it freezes solid most of the time. It's a graft so I planned on attempting some air-layers once it grew some interesting areas.....

 

[Dav4]

I've got a Sango Kaku down here in usda zone 7 GA that's been thriving since being planted 4-5 years ago. It saw 2 degrees f 3 years ago without die back. I'm pretty sure the one I planted in zone 6 MA croaked though.

 

[gallina1594]

I've got a Sango Kaku down here in usda zone 7 GA that's been thriving since being planted 4-5 years ago. It saw 2 degrees f 3 years ago without die back. I'm pretty sure the one I planted in zone 6 MA croaked though.

I believe sangos can handle the below freezing temps. I think it's the 1 or 2 weeks of sub zero temps that keep killing it off :/

 

[gallina1594]

I hate to be negative but I would never plant a coral bark maple. They always look anemic. You see them in front of peoples houses and I've never seen even one that looks like it's even halfway close to thriving. and I live in a place where it'sa pretty easy life for plants ... ( San Francisco Bay Area.) Maybe they do better in other parts of the country? They are unique, but they always look like they're half dead.
Ian

No I completely agree. It's almost as though if you let them do their own think, they kill themselves! I mean their native home is thousands of miles away..

 

[gallina1594]

Kept this alive for six years or so. Goes on the poly'd up porch in winter so it freezes solid most of the time. It's a graft so I planned on attempting some air-layers once it grew some interesting areas.....
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What is it grafted with? Maybe whatever it's grafted with is helping it survive those deep freezes!

 

[just.wing.it]

No I completely agree. It's almost as though if you let them do their own think, they kill themselves! I mean their native home is thousands of miles away..

Maybe the word Sango-kaku translates to "suicidal tree" aka Sango-kaku kamikaze...lol!

 

[gallina1594]

Maybe the word Sango-kaku translates to "suicidal tree" aka Sango-kaku kamikaze...lol!

Herp derp don't wanna tree no mo

 

[Dav4]

What is it grafted with? Maybe whatever it's grafted with is helping it survive those deep freezes!

They're always grafted on Acer palmatum seedlings which should be hardy to zone 5.

 

[aphid]

I'm not sure if it's temperatures anymore. I just ordered a Winter Flame (also pink bark, but smaller) from Oregon. Oregon winters can't be that bad. It's full of scars like the branches almost died back, but somehow survived and healed. It's definitely a goner in Massachusetts this winter. I'll try and keep it in the shed to see if it helps.