Poor Acer

dannyg86 · August 2021

Hi guys, so my grandad passed away in January and my Nan has been unable to care for the garden. In it was this at least 20yr old acer that has clearly seen better days. I’ve managed to get it home to give it some TLC. Unfortunately the majority of the branches were brittle, dry and snapped very easy ie dead. I have removed the majority of the dead wood, which I read to do in a forum. What’s left is what I believe to be alive mostly. Also what foliage is there is heavily scorched. I have ordered a bigger pot and some more soil to repot but it is massively pot bound with thick woody roots wrapping around and around. Also I’ve been told that my uncle was pooring concentrate tomato feed directly into it and as you can see in the pic it’s in some sort of plastic liner that was in a wooden pot that was rotten so the root ball seems very wet at the bottom.

firstly does it have any chance of surviving and re-branching to hold any sort of shape?

secondly how do I deal with the roots bound? Do I need to cut the ones wrapping around the outside etc?

Please help? My Nan is desperate for it not to die doesn’t matter if it takes a few years to recover

thanks in advance

Fairygirl · August 2021

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/6030279/uploads/editor/qq/d51wmsccyvss.jpeg

Hi @dannyg86 - I don't want to be negative but, don't get your hopes up too much. However, it may come away.

Get it out of the sun, soak it thoroughly [which will also get rid of the tomato food] and pot it with a soil based medium, not compost. You can add a bit of acidic compost if you wish, and I'd also add a bit of grit mixed through if you can, because it won't appreciate sitting in wet soil full time either.
Make sure it has good drainage if it's staying on a hard surface, so raise the pot on bricks or similar. Don't feed it - with anything.

You can certainly trim the roots a bit, but be aware that you have to be careful with that. Don't cut off any more foliage, as it needs some, but don't worry too much if that drops off as it's now the time of year for dormancy, and a stressed plant will always become dormant earlier.
The most important thing is some shade and water. If you don't have soft water, collect rainwater for it.
Then just wait, and cross your fingers.

dannyg86 · August 2021

Hi @Fairygirl thank you, yes I’m being very realistic about it, I can only do my best with it and what will be will be, I just wished I had noticed it sooner and wouldn’t of let it get to this in the first place but hey ho.

In regards to cutting away the roots wrapping around itself, you mentioned being careful when doing so, what do I need to be careful of? Just removing to much? I also believe it has been in that same pot since my grandad got it in the first place.

Also just would like to add that the main stem I carefully scratched away a piece of the bark with a sterilised knife and it was green underneath Thanks again Dan

AuntyRach · August 2021

I agree with Fairygirl’s plan. I don’t think it will re-grow much on those big branches but you may keep some of it.

Why don’t you buy a small one (Even a small £5/&10 one will fill out to a good specimen in a couple of years) so your Mum will definitely have something to enjoy come next Spring.

Fairygirl · August 2021

You can root prune them to keep them 'contained' but it's not something I've ever done, and I'd be a bit worried about causing more stress to the plant. Probably better to do too little than too much though.
Perhaps worth taking a look on some specialist sites to see the best way to proceed with that.

Some of those branches may never recover fully, but given enough time, and assuming it recovers and starts to thrive, you may get new branches forming which will hide those a bit, and you can then start to re shape at a later date.

I think @JennyJ's suggestion might be a good one too. I know it's not the same, but it would allow you to have something for your Nan.

cmarkr · August 2021

I've some confidence this can survive. Keep it out of the wind as well (worse than sun for an Acer palmatum). If it's the same potting media for the last 20 years then it could be very compacted and the roots may not be getting oxygen. The congested roots will also cause a problem with drainage. Best time to do root work is in the spring as the buds start to push out, your job is to get it through the winter. Given it may be poor drainage, keep it in a rain shadow and only water if the pot becomes light, though don't let it dry out completely. You want to avoid what healthy roots that are left from rotting. Come the spring you can cut away some of the thick roots and repot in a well drained John Innes #3 based mix. Acers want moist but free draining so mix perlite in 50:50 to JI3 for example. Incorporate slow release ericaceous feed in the mix.

dannyg86 · August 2021

Thank you everyone, that’s a good idea getting her a little something to replace it for a while, while I tend to it. @cmarkr I’ll make sure I give it every bit of attention I can over the winter. I think I have to get it out of that plastic liner to allow the roots to breathe and not rot so will do that and get it into a pot with lots of free draining soil. Then I will re-attend to it in the spring like you said as it has gone through a lot already lately. I have the perfect sheltered spot for it under a large silver birch tree behind my shed where I put my own acer over winter which has done me proud the last 3 years…

(that’s not the spot I’m talking about but it is the acer)

once again thank you guys. 👍

Allotment Boy · August 2021

I also agree with previous posts. I am a big fan of seaweed TONIC (not fertiliser.) In spring when the new buds are emerging you can spray with a dilute seaweed tonic, this contains growth stimulants, and Might encourage more bud break and new leves. It's a long shot but worth a try.

Joyce Goldenlily · August 2021

Be patient and give the acer time. They are surprisingly tough. I have one which seems to be decidedly iffy and lives on a knife edge of survival, it has thrown new growth
from the main trunk in the past. I have decided it really needs to be planted out in the garden in a very sheltered spot. I have 2 others in pots and a 4th one which I planted in the garden last year and which has taken off beautifully.
Some TLC will keep yours going.

Fairygirl · August 2021

I definitely wouldn't feed. If the soil's right in the container, it isn't necessary at this stage.

thevictorian · August 2021

Try a bonsai site for how to root prune. Acers are commonly kept as bonsai and it should explain the process is good detail.
I'm an optimistic person but I think it will be fine if not perfect. They are tough plants and I've seen worse cases than yours survive. We found a dried out pot of on dumped in the woods and gave it a go. It's since been with us for 20 years and developed into a stunning tree.

Poor Acer

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