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Acer bought online without leaves

holatkinsonholatkinson Posts: 6
in Problem solving
Hi! I’m a new gardener and wanted a de en sized acer for a corner of my garden so bought one off gardeners express. It is about 1m tall.
when it arrived I was shocked to discover it did not have a single leaf or any leaf buds!
Is this normal practice when you buy trees online? Is there time for it to get buds and leaves this summer? Or will it not get leaves at all this year?
Apologies if these are stupid questions. I’m new to gardening! Was just hoping to add a bit of colour to a dark corner 😭
many thanks 
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Posts

  • LiriodendronLiriodendron Posts: 8,328
    How long ago did it arrive?  Was it bare root or did it come in a pot?  What did you do with it when it arrived?  -ie did you plant it straight away?

    Trees bought in the winter will obviously be bare of leaves, and they often establish better than potted trees bought in leaf.  However, the "bare root season" ends in March/April, because after that time the sap rises and trees start to produce their leaves.

    Any chance of a photo?  

    Welcome to the forum, by the way!   :)
    Since 2019 I've lived in east Clare, in the west of Ireland.
  • holatkinsonholatkinson Posts: 6
    Thankyou! 
    It arrived last week so I thought it would have some leaves as I’ve seen plenty in other gardens full of leaves already!
    it came in a pot so I planted it in a pot with John innes no.2 and covered with a thin layer of pebbles (I read all this online so hopefully it’s the right thing to have done!)
    I will get a photo shortly!
    thankyou for replying!
  • holatkinsonholatkinson Posts: 6
    I have got a few pictures... on closer inspection it looks like there are some shrivelled up dead leaves on it! 😳 what do you think?! 
  • LiriodendronLiriodendron Posts: 8,328
    I think you should ask for your money back.  Send them your photos because that looks very dead to me...  if you gently scratch the bark and there's no green underneath, that's a sure sign it's dead.  Sorry...  better luck next time!  You'd be better visiting a garden centre where you can choose your own acer - it might be quite a bit more expensive, but at least you can see what you're getting for your money.
    Since 2019 I've lived in east Clare, in the west of Ireland.
  • AthelasAthelas Posts: 946
    edited May 2021
    Agree about going to a garden centre, you can also see the leaves/habit in person and choose exactly what you want.

    I haven’t bought acers online (only at the garden centre near me, and small ones 0.5m or shorter) but if you’re after a good specimen, you could try looking for a specialist supplier that will deliver to you. I don’t know where you’re based, but for example https://www.baysnurseryandacercentre.co.uk/ is a dedicated nursery, clearly very passionate about acers, that deliver within 30 miles of their location.
    Cambridgeshire, UK
  • holatkinsonholatkinson Posts: 6
    Oh gosh what a nightmare! 😭😭
  • debs64debs64 Posts: 5,184
    My daughter was saying her local Aldi has acers for about £12? Nor the best choice but maybe easier to get to than a garden centre? Just a thought, if you want a really good one and a good choice a nursery is the place to go. 
  • holatkinsonholatkinson Posts: 6
    Thankyou both for your comments! I read on their website not to worry of plants appear dead etc as they could be in a dormant state etc so thought this must be the case but it’s really past that point in the year isn’t.
    Ive done the scratch test and the brown part of the bark all just started to flake and peal off 😭 I have emailed them and sent the photos so hopefully they will get back to me soon. I will update you!!
    thank you again for your advice.
  • B3B3 Posts: 27,505
    The Lidl mag said they were doing acers this week or next week. I haven't visited this week so I can't say if they're any good or even there. Worth a look if there's one nearby.
    In London. Keen but lazy.
  • Hostafan1Hostafan1 Posts: 34,889
    B3 said:
    The Lidl mag said they were doing acers this week or next week. I haven't visited this week so I can't say if they're any good or even there. Worth a look if there's one nearby.
    Waitrose had nice acers. £22 each
    Lidl had nice paeonias at £7.99 last week
    Devon.
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