Typically, plant orders go out the following Monday after an order is received. If you would like your shipment sent a particular week, please let us know in the notes section on your order.

Yes no problem, but please do so before the trees have been packed! If you need to change or cancel an order after the trees have been packed a 20% restocking fee will be assessed.

It is not uncommon for a young plant to look slightly different from the described cultivar. A young plant may sometimes have bigger and mis-shaped leaves. Dwarfs will often grow fast for a few years and then slow way down as they get older. Color can vary as young plant is actively growing. When growing at the nursery – the plants here receive a modest amount of fertilizer and that may mask some of the reds and may create larger than typical leaves. If the plant is in the shade (we grow our plants in 50% shade) the red will not develop as prominently as with direct sun exposure.Too much sun exposure can change the color of leaves dramatically.  If the tree is in the full hot sun it can “bronze out” and the color can be altered.Sometimes (rarely) we will ship the wrong plant to you.  If you think this is the case – please send us a photo of your plant and we will sort things out.

This sometimes happens – sometimes it gets pretty hectic shipping so please bear with us…we will sort it out and get you your tree ASAP. Please contact us.

This is common when we ship the order in multiple boxes. If your plants do not arrive within 2 days of the first box. Please contact us.

Due to the perishable nature of plants and their poor ability to handle back to back transport we prefer to work out a compromise to keep the customer satisfied with their purchase. BUT, with authorization from us and within 7 days of arrival, you may return your plant in its original packaging form. The tree must be returned in good shape and alive for reimbursement. The customer is responsible for the shipping costs.

This is common when we ship the order in multiple boxes. If your plants do not arrive within 2 days of the first box. Please contact us.

We ship the plants in their container – so there is very little stress to the plant in transit. For more info go to: Shipping Policy

Tracking numbers are sent out by UPS the day your maple is shipped.  Please check your email and spam folder. If not found please contact us.

FREE to ship if you order $100. or more. Otherwise $8.50 West coast/ $14.50 everywhere else.

We have shipped over 15,000 trees and usually there are no issues. But every once and awhile we will get a handler like this: Delivery Man Take a deep breath and be reassured we will keep you as a happy customer.  We have a few options for reimbursement listed under 30 day guarantee. Please take photos of the plant immediately (and the box if damaged) email the photos to info@mendocinomaples.com and then Please contact us.

It is not uncommon for a little stress to occur when shipping. If the leaves looked a little damaged or wilted – do not over water.  Soak once and set the plant in a protected morning sun afternoon shade place for a few days to recover. Check soil moisture before watering with fingers – water when almost dry. Do not fertilize.  If the plant does not perk up within a few days- send us a few photos and please contact us.

Yes, not a problem – when ordering please mention when you want it shipped in “Notes” area.

Left here to add your question that is not on the FAQ list!

click to look at dwarf maples

click Cold Hardy Maples

click Maples that do Well in the Shade

click Maples for Sunny Hot Areas

Click on this link: Caring for Japanese Maples

It is not uncommon for a little stress to occur when shipping. If the leaves look a little damaged or wilted – do not over water.  Soak once and set the plant in a protected morning sun afternoon shade place for a few days to recover. Check soil moisture before watering with fingers – water when almost dry. Do not fertilize.  If the plant does not perk up – send us a few photos and Please contact us.

If the leaves of your tree looked stressed it is usually from over watering or under watering.

In either case – since the leaves are damaged do not over water.
Check soil moisture before watering – it should be almost dry before
watering again. The plant will not need as much water as usual since the
leaves are damaged and are not utilizing the water. Too much water can
cause root rot.

Do not fertilize.

If the tree is in a very windy spot or excessively hot area I would
consider moving it to a more sheltered area.  Mulch and morning misting
help in extremely hot climates. Everyone has their own particular
micro-climate so it is best to provide as much shade as possible when
you are in extreme hot areas. If you can’t or don’t want to move it –
the mulch can really help out.

Since our trees are container grown – anytime the weather is cool to
warm – but not hot.  Fall and winter are generally considered a good
time to plant trees – but if there is a risk of a cold snap (temps below
32° F within 6 weeks of planting time – wait until spring to plant.

If you are in zone 5 we recommend Winterizing Your Trees or planting in spring rather than fall.

Watering depends on lots of things like soil type, size of container
and climate – so it is best to check your soil moisture with your
fingers to see if it is almost dry.  Water when soil is almost dry.

In summer – on average every three days – depending on weather.

Japanese maples prefer to be somewhat snug in a container. If too much
soil is allowed to sit around the root ball there is a greater chance of the soil becoming too saturated with water which can lead to root rot. This seems to be particularly true for smaller maples in containers. So it is best not to use a container that is too big for your tree.  A 1 gallon plant can go into a 2, 3 or 5 gallon.   A 2 gallon can go into a 5, 7 or 10 gallon.

They can be kept inside for short periods of time (several weeks to a month). But as a general rule they are outside plants.  The problem with bringing them inside is that they prefer cool weather and the house is
dry and warm…they do fine in a greenhouse which is warm but it has high humidity.  In winter they need the cold to reset their biological clocks for their dormant period

Protecting your young plants during the coldest months is a good idea so that the roots don’t freeze solid and the tops don’t break off from the weight of heavy snow.   When in containers – some folks bring them onto a porch or into a garage when conditions get real bad. When to bring them into the garage in the winter depends on seasonal conditions.  I would wait as long as possible before the weather really gets cold and nasty.  That way your maples biological clock will get set and they will remain dormant for a longer period than say if you brought them in early in for the rest of the winter season. So, with all that said,  bring them in when temps will remain  below 25°. Since the maples are relatively young they will need more protection than an older tree.  As they mature and grow they can take more stress  ie. cold, heat, and wind.  Bigger containers can take colder (and hotter)conditions.  But they are of course harder to move!

Japanese maples prefer a fast draining soil.  If planting in the ground and your soil is heavy clay it is a good idea to mix a reputable fast draining soil mix with the existing soil 50/50 mix.  Bagged potting soil
mixes that I have tried and like are Happy Frog, EB Stone Organics, and Fox Farm.  All of these will be fine for maples planted in containers.

There are so many different varieties of maples it is almost impossible to ID a tree from photos

There are a lot of factors to take into consideration for pricing a tree and it would be best to talk to a local landscaper.

We are an online business and are no longer open to the public.  However,  we have just opened a branch of Mendocino Maples called Little River Maple Farm where you can visit and select your landscape tree. Little River Maple Farm sells to landscapers and gardeners who are looking for that special maple in a size 15 gallon or 25 gallon container.  They are open by appointment only. To make and appointment or see their availability list click here: Little River Maple Farm

We are a small operation (basically just me) and it takes a lot of time to go out and photograph trees for customers. We have been in business for over 25 years and have a keen eye for what looks good. We will pick the nicest tree that we have for our customers. If you read our testimonials – customers are happy with the size of our plants and our selection.

If there is a particular form or shape you are looking for – please mention that in the “special instructions” area when ordering and we will do our best to find that for you in our inventory

We have just opened a branch of Mendocino Maples called Little River Maple Farm where you can visit and select your landscape tree. They do not ship.

LITTLE RIVER MAPLE FARM has trees in the 15 and 25 gallon size and sells tolandscapers and gardeners who are looking for that special maple in a size 15 gallon or 25 gallon container.  They are open by appointment only.

To make and appointment or see their availability list click here:Little River Maple Farm