Acer Problem
Stephen Lawrence
Posts: 64
in Plants
I planted 3 Acer trees i June this year. Two are doing fine and putting out new growth. The third ( don't know the name, but has green spindly leaves ) has shown no growth at all. Tips of leaves are turning brown.
They are in anexposed north easterly position though.
Any suggestions please.
0
Posts
I think that you have given your own answer - an exposed position. Finer leaves are often more delicate, and wind will scorch them. There's not very much that you can do other than move the plants; you may also have problems with the others when we have gales. Acers need a sheltered place to do best.
Stephen, it is possibly Acer Palmatum at a guess, and obviously does not like its position.
They need a sunny or partial shade position and sheltered, moist cool roots, You could move it to a more sheltered position and try it, as with a lot of plants this year it has probably been to wet and cold.
Frank.
Many thanks,
I'll have to move them then. The other 2 do have a three foot wall directly behind for some wind protection though. The problem one hasn't - it's more exposed.
Wait until the leaves have dropped in autumn to move them, definitely not now. They're generally best out of the hottest sun, too - they grow naturally in the shade of larger trees.
Thanks Alina - will do.
I'll have to decide on alternative - any suggestions ?
You can move anything at almost any time if you take care doing it, they manage all the garden shows with some plants going from one to another.
Prepare the place you want it to go, dig the hole, put in a bit of grit for drainage and some compost to keep the moisture. That sounds a contradiction but it works.
Now dig round well away from the root ball as big a ball as you can handle, I wrap what I am moving in plastic round the root ball, drop it on a shovel and drag it to where I want it if too big to carry, drop it in the hole back fill to the level it was at before moving, heel in or firm down and water in.
If we were having a hot dry summer I would say wait but we are not so move it.
Frank.
No offence intended, but I stick to my guns and still say wait until autumn, Frank
We still have plenty of time for a hot spell (we're predicted 27C tomorrow), and I wouldn't fancy trying to keep a transplanted tree, albeit a small one, happy and moist in that temperature.
Anyway, we won't fall out over it, but let Stephen pick what he wants to do - your instructions are great for whenever he decides to do it