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Trouble with potted acer dieback

Fergus.Whittingly-BabbageFergus.Whittingly-Babbage Posts: 3
in Plants
I've had a potted acer as the centrepiece of my back yard for several years now, but last year some of the branches lost their colour over Winter. That spring the dead looking branches still budded, but the leaves produced looked scorched and wilted. This year though, instead of recovering, the branches are not budding at all, as shown here:



This doesn't look good, and I'm assuming the best case is that these branches can't be saved, and the worst that the tree may be lost. One possibility I've read about is that it may be a fungal infection (https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?PID=255&awc=2273_1586171842_28205aae4d9fd1441d25ccf777e8fa9b), but I'm not sure if I should be trying to prune the dead branches to help the rest of the plant, or if there's really anything to be done. Does anyone have any experience with this sort of thing or ideas of what the best thing to do is in this situation?

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  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Most problems with acers will be drought over the last couple of years, especially if it's in a pot. An exposed site where it catches the wind, is also a problem, along with sun. These problems become compounded if not addressed early on, and although you may see growth, it takes a toll on the plant.
    Dead branches can be pruned back. Looking at your photo, it seems to be mainly on one side, which does suggest some wind damage.
    If they go short of water at certain times of year, that can also affect the foliage formation. Much the same as Camellias going short in late summer.

    Have you refreshed the medium it's growing in each year?
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • Fergus.Whittingly-BabbageFergus.Whittingly-Babbage Posts: 3
    The tree has been in the same pot for probably too long now, but I'm looking to repot as soon as I get hold of some more ericacious compost (tricky at the moment). You can't quite see in the photo that the living branches form just the topmost canopy of the tree, but I think you're probably right about the drought and exposure to wind and sun as there's not really much protection from any of those where it is.

    Was a bit concerned about pruning as advice around these and Japanese Maples suggests that a branch may "bleed" on pruning and cause other issues, but I don't suppose that's a problem if these branches are dead?
  • Samridout92Samridout92 Posts: 95
    I have this issue but on a much smaller acer. We have one at each end of a patio. One catches wind... that’s the damaged one.

    as above though I’ve always heard don’t cut an acer in any circumstances? So interested to hear what people have to say here :) 
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    If you're removing dead branches, there's no problem. Obviously, don't go back too far at this time of year. You can always leave them till autumn though. 
    Acers can be pruned @Samridout92, so I'm not sure where you've heard that info. It's about timing though. 
    Incidentally - they don't need ericaceous soil - they're perfectly happy in neutral soil, just like Rhodies and Azaleas. They just don't like alkaline soil. If it's staying in a pot long term though - compost isn't enough. You need a soil based medium.
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • Samridout92Samridout92 Posts: 95
    Fairygirl said:
    If you're removing dead branches, there's no problem. Obviously, don't go back too far at this time of year. You can always leave them till autumn though. 
    Acers can be pruned @Samridout92, so I'm not sure where you've heard that info. It's about timing though. 
    Incidentally - they don't need ericaceous soil - they're perfectly happy in neutral soil, just like Rhodies and Azaleas. They just don't like alkaline soil. If it's staying in a pot long term though - compost isn't enough. You need a soil based medium.
    My in laws love their acers and they have told me never to prune (which i trusted up until now) Seems miss information being passed down the generations ahaha! That’s good to hear though :)
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    To be honest - they rarely need pruned. We had one at work, that regularly needed a wee tidy up as it had got too big for the space.
    Bear in mind that they make excellent bonsai specimens  ;)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • JohnnypJohnnyp Posts: 71
    Unfortunately my father in law lost two acres last year to very similar symptoms like your Acer , leaves just shriveled up and dropped off , he held onto them in hope they survived but no sign of fresh growth this spring so they must be dead 😢
  • Allotment BoyAllotment Boy Posts: 6,774
    @Fairygirl is quite right Acers can be pruned, in fact the Japanese prune them in all 4 seasons just not in early spring when the sap is rising. The larger cuts are reserved for winter when dormant of course,  but smaller branches can be trimmed at other times if need be. The dead branches can be cut off anytime. 
    AB Still learning

  • amancalledgeorgeamancalledgeorge Posts: 2,736
    I'd also question the placement...is it maybe getting too much sun? As it looks like a purple/red leaves variety, they tend to scorch the most from excessive sun exposure. Being in a pot at least gives you the chance to move it easily. I did just move my Atropurpureum that got excessive sun damage last summer because of me repotting it in a higher pot. Fingers crossed the new location will work better. Keep it well watered and remove any dead wood...it will not do it any harm. 
    To Plant a Garden is to Believe in Tomorrow
  • Samridout92Samridout92 Posts: 95
    Can anyone answer a quick one from me :) my acers information tag says shade on the front. Then sun on the back! 

    Can my acer survive in near enough full shade? In a sheltered from wind position? 

    Thanks in advance :)
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