Should I buy this Acer Tree for £60?

Rubi

Hi everyone

I’ve spotted a local advert for this Acer tree for £60. I don’t have much experience with Acer tree so would appreciate some advice. Is this a healthy looking tree? And is it worth £60? 

Also does anyone know the name of this Acer and what it’s ultimate height is? 

Thanks. 

Rubi

Fairygirl

An Acer that sort of size would certainly be that kind of price. Don't know the variety - there are hundreds, but when you say 'a local advert' are you sure of who is selling it?
Many plants are stolen and then put  on local sites.

Rubi

Also another advert for this Acer tree at £90. Again any advice on its health, value for money, name of tree would be much appreciated. 

And of the two, which would you buy if you were to buy one? 

I will be keeping them in pots for while. 

Rubi

Fairygirl said:

An Acer that sort of size would certainly be that kind of price. Don't know the variety - there are hundreds, but when you say 'a local advert' are you sure of who is selling it?
Many plants are stolen and then put  on local sites.

Thanks Fairygirl. It’s an advert on Facebook. Didn’t realise people would actually steal plants. That’s awful. 

Fairygirl

I'm afraid it's quite a common occurrence - plant theft.
I'd be concerned about the reasons for selling - if it's genuine, and that would be difficult to determine unless you know the seller, or they can be vouched for in some way. 
The 2nd one is one of the palmatums - quite common and readily available. There are several varieties - all quite similar.
To be honest - if I had 90 quid to spend - I'd buy three younger plants from a recognised seller! They both look in good health, so that's ok.

I prefer the dark ones, but you would get a reasonably mature specimen [if that's what you're looking for] for less than that from a good outlet - nursery or garden centre. 

K67

I think the consensus  is No.
Buying from a garden centre or online nursery you will get a plant guarantee as well.

Fairygirl

That's a very good point @K67. 
I'm lucky that I have a very good nursery 45mins away, and I use them for all sorts of planting, but even if I didn't, I wouldn't shell out that amount of money unless I knew the providence of the plant. 

micearguers

A few years ago I bought an Acer palmatum 'Katsura' in a garden center for about 20 quid, no more than half a meter tall. It's now 2 meters and has bulked out nicely (the first one looks somewhat like a Katsura). The main points I want to make are:  Those prices might be OK for a garden center, but for a direct sale for pot-bound specimens it seems a bit much to me. Secondly, I'd much prefer to pick from a wider range of choice and get a specimen where I really like the branch structure and ideally one where the roots are not all balled up in a pot.

Fairygirl

I would agree @micearguers. If it was a genuine sale, £60 isn't unreasonable, but it's the validity of it that's the real problem. 

Specialist sellers of Acers have such a great range, plus the guarantees, as @K67 says. 

Rubi

Thanks everyone for your replies. They have been very helpful. 

 I have decided to heed the wise advice given here and not go ahead with the purchases. 

Also that’s a good point with regards to the warranty. I did consider this but I think I was being a bit too hopeful in thinking they would survive! But of course it would be a big risk to take when spending a large amount of money. 

 I’ve had a look online and can see the prices for Acers similar to these are also very similar in price. 

And @micearguers, you also hit the nail on the head with the branch structure. I‘m not mad about the branch structure on either of them, I think I just wanted them for their height. 

I saw a couple of beautiful Acer trees on another thread on GW this morning. Just been to the thread to find the pics and noticed that one was posted by you @Fairygirl. And the other by @Joy*. Both stunning trees. Love their branch structures. 

I have two garden centres within 5miles of me, as well as B&Q with a garden centre so will be visiting some today. 

Also I saw some Acers about 80cm tall in Asda about a month for only £12. So will go there first and see if they still have any.
I did buy two small Acers about 3 months ago for £3 each from Tesco, and only recently reported them into bigger pots, but they’re currently only about 40cm tall. Should I give them any food to help them along or just water?