Leaf Scorch / die back on Acer Sangu Kaku
WallyBazoom
Posts: 2
Hi,
First post on here and I'm looking for some help/advice.
I'm not particularly knowledgeable about gardening etc so please bare with me.
Last November, I purchased and planted a mature (approx. 15 year old) Acer Sangu Kaku. The tree began well and started to leave in the spring. However, mid way through the summer, some of the leave started turning brown and shrivelling. I believe this is leaf scorch. Additionally, some of the smaller branches seemed to lose their coral red hue and turned grey (dieback?). The tree was almost bare of leaves at the beginning of autumn.
The area the tree's planted in is prone to wind and is rather exposed.. A Katsura tree we planted close by a few years ago suffered similar scorching to the leaves and hasn't flourished at all. Our garden is West facing.
My question is: Should I relocate the tree to another part of the garden Or, shall I give it another year in its current location and hope that it gains some resilience once the roots establish a bit more? We have a smaller Sangu Kaku planted on the opposite side of the garden. This benefits from some sheltering from a fence and the other mature trees and shrubs. Consequently, the younger Sangu Kaku is flourishing.
Any advice / opinions would be hugely appreciated.
Thanks in advance.
Anjum
Posts
I'd reckon planting a 15 yr old tree was always going to be a risk, unless you really know what you're doing.
Adding to that by planting it in a less than ideal location, and it's not surprising it hasn't really thrived. Without adequate watering until fully established, a mature shrub or tree will struggle. That's the main reason for the shrivelling and die back. The preparation of the hole it's planted in is also important in getting anything mature established.
You may be too late in trying to do anything about it now. Pruning it back to a healthy point at each stem might help, but if it's in a windy exposed site, it will always find it tough to look good.
Sorry if that's not very encouraging, but you may have to resort to moving it to a better (and well prepped ) spot, cutting it back and crossing your fingers.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Thanks for your reply.
To be honest, I was guessing the age of the tree. Its about 2.5 meters tall so I figured it was around this age.
With regard to it's original planting, it was put in by an experienced gardener. So I trust that it was adequately prepped.
I've pretty much resigned myself to repositioning it and giving it a chance in a more sheltered spot. I;m fairly hopeful as the dieback isn't that bad.
Thanks again.
I had a sango-kaku in my last garden and every winter there would be some die-back and I would need to cut out dead grey stems in spring. In hot or very windy weather they do transpire a lot of water from their eaves so need extra drinks to keep their foliage looking good.
As FG says, it's hard to establish an older tree so, give the roots a good drink now, scatter some bonemeal around to feed the roots thru winter and then give it a generous mulch of well-rotted manure or garden compost. Next spring, when buds start to open, make sure it is given some blood, fish and bone and plenty to drink in dry spells.
I think moving it will be risky but, if you must, do it soon and water the roots well to minimise damage before you dig it up and take as much root ball as possible. Prepare the new hole well and water it in well after re-planting and all through the next growing season. It may be simpler to erect a trellis wind break or plant something between it and the prevailing winds.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...