When/where to plant Acer Firecracker
Hi all,
I've recently purchased an Acer Firecracker which arrived a bit later than planned. I'd hoped to have it in before winter but I think that ship has sailed, so I was wondering what you think the best step is to take next?
From the soil to the top it is roughly 100cm tall, and is just bare branches now. Its currently sat in a South East facing conservatory (unheated) in its original pot and wrapping. Should I leave it where it is, in its original pot? Or should I try and plant it this weekend?
Second question is WHERE to plant it. I keep seeing conflicting things online about the aspect, so I have two options: in the back garden, where the aspect is south east. Or next to the house at the front, which is north west (see picture attached). If in the front, I'm planning to place it along the fence and rip out the existing bushes we inherited, we moved in a couple of months ago.
Thanks in advance!

I've recently purchased an Acer Firecracker which arrived a bit later than planned. I'd hoped to have it in before winter but I think that ship has sailed, so I was wondering what you think the best step is to take next?
From the soil to the top it is roughly 100cm tall, and is just bare branches now. Its currently sat in a South East facing conservatory (unheated) in its original pot and wrapping. Should I leave it where it is, in its original pot? Or should I try and plant it this weekend?
Second question is WHERE to plant it. I keep seeing conflicting things online about the aspect, so I have two options: in the back garden, where the aspect is south east. Or next to the house at the front, which is north west (see picture attached). If in the front, I'm planning to place it along the fence and rip out the existing bushes we inherited, we moved in a couple of months ago.
Thanks in advance!

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Posts
The best place to plant it would be where it gets some sun, but ideally not too much (especially around midday).
Wind burn can also be a problem, so whichever site you have in mind that isn't too windy and not too sunny.
So long as your soil in neutral or slightly acidic it should be happy.
Don't add any feed to the planting hole (which should be square and not round) to encourage to roots to get out and find food for itself and produce a strong root system.
It the site that re-orients photos sideways - not you
Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
They're very fickle about being moved once established.
I did move one after it had been planted for a year or so and that was fine, but it can take several years for them to get to a decent size and it won't like being moved then.
Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
It certainly needs to be outside, but if you've had it in there for a while, give it a few hours outside for a few days before planting, but unless you're in an area that has no frost forecast for the next few days, hold off with planting it. Too big a shock, and it won't appreciate going into ground that then freezes. Tuck it somewhere sheltered until then if that's the case.
It'll depend whereabouts you are, but if you're anywhere further north than the north of England , the weather is to be pretty wild over the weekend too, so that isn't ideal planting weather either.
I'd agree with @Pete.8 too- it's better to have the right site for it, rather than having to move it at a later date.
Alternatively, you can keep it potted, if you get a nice pot for it, and a suitable growing medium. They make very good pot specimens
Any essential pruning should only be done in the dead of winter as they bleed at any other time.
Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
As @Pete.8 says, let it grow in it's natural shape. They often have branches which grow quicker than others, so don't be hasty re any pruning, other than removing anything dead.
It is possible to shape them a bit, but you have to be very careful with it. It's easy for them to look pretty dreadful. Nothing worse than those 'puddings' that people prune them into, the way you would do a topiary specimen. They just aren't designed to be treated like that. Ruins them.
If you have any articles about training them into trees I'd be really grateful for them, I can't find a straight answer anywhere on the internet!