FREE: Vikki'sGarden◠◡✿Sangu Kaku Japanese Maple ~ Amazing red bark and changing leaf colors! 10 Seeds

Yes indeedy :) All of the Japanese ornamental maples adore and thrive in cold regions.

Actually, bonsai's are normal trees that have had their growth stunted by cutting their roots and confining in a very small and shallow dish/pot. The reason the Japanese maples are so popular for this use, besides their ever changing leaves and ease of manipulation, is because they're such a small tree even when full grown. As for returning a trained bonsai to full size, I've never heard of anyone doing it but would guess it might depend on the tree type and how long it had been stunted. A 1-3 year old in training probably so, anything older probably not.

They generally top out at 15-20'.

You can also 'manipulate' the trunk and branches as its growing in the same manner as you would a bonsai. Or for that matter; these could be used to grow bonsai's.

Morning Listerena (+_+) The seed's of plants that grow up in cold area's are a bit like bear's, both need to hibernate in the cold before coming out in the spring. There are two ways of stratifying seeds: 1. In fall, plant seeds in potted soil, cover with a fine meshed screen (like on your windows) and weight it down with something to keep it from blowing off or from critters removing it to get at the seeds. Now place somewhere like under an eve to the shed or house so it will receive some protection from falling debris...and with the exception of checking to make sure the soil doesn't dry out - let it be until spring. It's ok to let snow and rain get to it as these help break down the hard coating on the seed to allow in water for germination.By the end of spring your baby seedlings should start popping out of the soil. And 2. is to hot water soak your seeds overnight in a jar, drain the water and place seeds in a baggy of moistened (not wet) peat with a sprinkle of cinnamon, pop a few holes in the baggy for air, seal and place in the fridge (not freezer) for 3 months. When time is up plant in good potting soil and place outdoors for germination. ps...both methods require you to break off the wings from the seed before stratifying.

Stop manipulation and I can't imagine what would stop a youth from doing what it naturally wants to do which is to reach for the sun by growing tall. An older tree would probably always remain dwarfed.

Glad to help.

They need to be cold stratified so there is no need for a greenhouse. I just described the method for Listerena a few blocks down from this one :)