Today we’d like to introduce you to Scot And Michelle Cowan.
Hi Scot and Michelle, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
We’re Scot and Michelle Cowan. We’ve lived on these five acres north of Millington for over twenty years, raised our kids here and one day turned the old corrugated garage into an open-air grafting shed. That’s how Spirit Hill Maple Nursery started. Six years and thousands of hand-grafted trees later, we have watched our dream become reality: years worth of beautiful Japanese Maples lining our property, with comfortable paths to walk to enjoy them.
We know that Japanese Maples are not native trees, but ours are local! Most Japanese Maples come from the west coast, and many report transplant shock and early death from trees sourced from big box nurseries because they were not grown here, but brought here from a very different climate. Our trees are raised in Shelby County, outside, and have a great reputation for beauty and hardiness.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The only real “obstacle” we ever hear is “Is it worth the drive?”
The answer is yes—and it’s easier than you think. We’re 25–35 minutes from just about anywhere in Shelby County (Midtown, Germantown, Cordova, Collierville, Bartlett, downtown). The distance is more mental that physical; it feels different out here. The houses are further apart, you might see cows, goats, horses and even an occasional wild turkey, but we’re definitely still in Shelby County.
More importantly, you won’t find our selection or quality anywhere else around here: over fifty cultivars, trees that have already lived three to five full seasons in Shelby County weather, and the kind of one-on-one help most places simply don’t have time for. People who were sure it was “too far” end up saying the same thing on the way out: “I wish I’d come sooner.”
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Japanese Maples do not make seeds that will make an exact copy, and must be cloned to reproduce the exact characteristics of the parent tree. Because of this there are hundreds of types (cultivars) of Japanese Maple trees, all with varying colors, sizes and shapes. The basic tree, Acer Palmatum, grows wild in Japan and is easily grown from seed, with varying characteristics; it is this that we use for “rootstock.” We began with 7 cultivars, and have grown to almost 50 that we are reproducing, each with a unique combination of size, form, color and leaf shape, all of which thrive in our Mid-South weather.
Very soon, every tree we sell will be side-veneer grafted by us in our open-air grafting shed, then grown under the tall forest canopy in the custom soil we mix locally. Each year we are offer over 25 varieties in two sizes:
3-gallon – minimum three growing seasons
10-gallon – minimum five growing seasons
We’re Tennessee-licensed and inspected every year by both Tennessee and Mississippi departments of agriculture.
Our specialty is personalized service. To help customers choose the perfect tree, we’ll ask about their available space and the amount of sunlight in their planting site. Many customers purchase multiple trees or return to grow their collections. We provide written care and planting instructions and guarantee to respond when a customer has any sort of question about their new tree, or any Japanese maples in their yard.
Before we go, is there anything else you can share with us?
Our nursery is more than just a garden center. We live here, for one, but more importantly, we are growing the next 4-5 years of trees right here. Not every tree is for sale every year. Cultivars may not all be available every year. But coming out to walk among the trees, see them from baby grafts (officially called “liners”) to 5-6 year old trees is an experience you won’t forget.
We also teach the art of grafting each summer during our grafting season. Sharing our knowledge is important to us, and our September classes are always a highlight. Participants tour the nursery, select a favorite cultivar, and practice grafting until they’re confident—then take home the tree they grafted. Look for listings and tickets in Eventbrite.
Almost everyone leaves one of two things “I had no idea there were so many choices!” and/or “I’m bringing my neighbor (friend, aunt, mother, etc.) next weekend.”
Pricing:
- 3 gallon $65-90
- 10 gallon $150-$300
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.spirithillmaplenursery.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1CbDGd9VkD/
