Help with my Ornamental Acer

Posts

• Liriodendron Posts: 8,328

  May 2021 edited May 2021

  In my opinion the problem is that there is no clear space around the tree trunk, free of weeds.  The competition for food and water is too great and your tree is struggling a bit...  Clear away a circle of at least a metre, water it well, feed with blood fish & bone fertiliser and then mulch with compost.  Make sure you keep it watered deeply in dry weather; last summer was challenging for many trees and shrubs, and our climate is becoming less predictable.
  
  Edited to add:  the yellow on the twigs is nothing to worry about - it's lichen, which is a sign that the air is clean.  It won't do any harm.  

  Since 2019 I've lived in east Clare, in the west of Ireland.

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• Nanny Beach Posts: 8,719

  May 2021

  Absolutely,what lirio has said ( brilliant post by the way) they need a lot of water and feed other than that it doesn't look too bad

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• Fairygirl Posts: 55,117

  May 2021

  Definitely needs a clear space round the base. The grass it's in is just competition for water [in particular] and dry conditions for Acers over a long period of time are a problem for their overall health. If it's in a sunnier, and windier, position, that also contributes to them drying out rapidly, and often, it can go unnoticed until the problem is quite advanced. Sheltered, dappled shade is the ideal aspect. 
  
  Ensure it gets plenty of water [a couple of buckets]  and do that on a regular basis if you don't get any prolonged, regular rainfall. Mulching is always beneficial, as said. Bark is particularly good for Acers, and you can add that in late winter too to help preserve moisture.
  In the same way that many spring flowering shrubs need watering through late summer to ensure bud development, Acers need a good supply of water in late summer too. Be vigilant if spring is dry for long periods too. Your soil does look extremely dry, but with a bit of attention, your Acer should be fine 
  
  

  It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
  
  
  
  I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...

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