Japanese acer wilting

gemz_g · May 2020

Hi guys. Just wondering what

to do with our acer. She is wilting badly. Any suggestions would be recommended x

Fairygirl · May 2020

Clear all the other stuff away from round it, and water - really, really thoroughly at the base.
Repeat - ever couple of days. Too much sun in the site it's in too probably. They're woodland plants - semi/dappled shade it what they like.

gemz_g · May 2020

Oh I see. Yeah it's in the sun most of the day to be fair. I've moved into my grandparents old house and trying to keep on top of the garden is a real challenge. So maybe a change of location? Will the already wilted leaves come back with a lot of watering x

Buttercupdays · May 2020

Acers like to be somewhere out of full sun and protected from high winds. Both tend to cause leaf scorch, curling or even kill the leaves altogether. If you have kept it well watered it is likely the position that is the problem, but clearing away the weeds that are competing would be a good start, and if possible find a way to give it a bit more shade.

The toughness/tolerance varies between varieties.

I have several acers and 'Bloodgood' can cope with anything. It is planted in moist soil in full sun, exposed to the wind and last week survived a particularly vicious, strong drying wind without any harm. Another red leaved acer wilted a little and had a little browning to the leaf edges but recovered well - that one has partial shade. Another with dissected leaves, in full shade and as much wind protection as I can muster living where I do, was completely blasted. It will have to produce a new crop of leaves, so recovery will take some time.

Fairygirl · May 2020

Some might, but it's more likely they won't. You may get some new foliage if you're fortunate though

I wouldn't try moving it either - bridge too far for it. The excessive heat has affected a lot of Acers this year, as well as other plants. One of those things unfortunately. If they don't have enough moisture to start with, the effects are seen when they come into growth too, and they can't really fend off more unsuitable weather.

You could probably move it in autumn, when it becomes dormant, but if it becomes dormant earlier, or really goes downhill, there's nothing to lose by doing so.

Daffydilly · May 2020

Acers like to be planted in open space. Yours seems to be protected from the wind so it s probably suffering from hot sun. I would cut the branches back a little and water really well. Don`t overdo it but make sure it is in moist soil for this season. Try to shade it a little when the sun is hot....maybe a tent with fleece? It should recover by the end of the season...well worth the effort I would think

Fairygirl · May 2020

Yes- some of the dark ones actually tolerate sun quite well @Buttercupdays.

I wouldn't cut any branches back at this time of year, unless they're obviously dead, and even then, it's easy to cut too far.

Daffydilly · May 2020

I did have to cut back at this time of year when I had the same problem. I cut about 2 inches off to encourage sturdier growth, it solved the problem for me by next season....tree doing well now as pic shows.

Fairygirl · May 2020

You were very lucky then.

gemz_g · May 2020

Thanks for all of your amazing advice this forum is an absolute god send. I will try and water heavily every 2 days and see what it's like by the end of the month xx

Daffydilly · May 2020

Fairygirl said:

You were very lucky then.

I only post advice that has worked for me and probably a lot of people I have given advice to. I may be new on here but I am not new to gardening

Japanese acer wilting

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