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TLC for Acer

SweetPea2022SweetPea2022 Posts: 42
in Problem solving
We were given this Acer in the spring and it's had a rough 6 months with the heatwaves, torrential rain, heavy winds etc and it's looking a bit sad. I have been watering it in dry weather but any other  tips for helping it recover? Should I prune, mulch, or anything else over the coming months? Many thanks

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  • bédébédé Posts: 3,095
    edited September 2022
    This summer many trees and shrubs have suffered dried leaves and early leafdrop.  Acer leaves are particularly tender.  

    It looks OK.  Prune for shape when dormant.
     location: Surrey Hills, England, ex-woodland acidic sand.
    "Have nothing in your garden that you don't know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful."
  • KeenOnGreenKeenOnGreen Posts: 1,831
    You have the advantage that you can easily move it to a sheltered site, with ideally very little sun, no wind and no frost. It looks like Sango-Kaku, which we used to have. They can grow quite a bit when happy, so you may need to put in a bigger pot in a year or so. I agree it looks in good shape.

    Rain water is better for them if you have enough.  A liquid ericaceous feed once a week from Spring to Autumn will help, especially as it's in a pot. We also used to give ours a fresh mulch in Spring, with ericaceous compost.
  • Allotment BoyAllotment Boy Posts: 6,774
    Acers are not heavy feeders so you could wait to feed in spring when new growth starts.
    Contrary to popular belief,  you don't have  to wait till the dead of winter to trim and shape so long as you are not cutting anything thicker than a pencil.  You could trim back some of that long whippy growth to two pairs of leaves now if you wish. Having some foliage on can help you view the overall shape. Ideally you are looking to get short nodes and a pleasing shape but without it looking unnatural, go slowly though it can take several seasons to achieve this.




    This is a night time image of one of mine lit from below.
    AB Still learning

  • bcpathomebcpathome Posts: 1,313
    I have trimmed mine today actually. The leaves are dropping early due to the hot weather. Just don’t go too prune happy till you know how you want it to look ,eg tall ,wide, or shaped .
  • punkdocpunkdoc Posts: 15,039
    They don't really need acidic conditions, just not too alkaline.
    How can you lie there and think of England
    When you don't even know who's in the team

    S.Yorkshire/Derbyshire border
  • SweetPea2022SweetPea2022 Posts: 42
    Thank you everyone, great ideas. I'm going to get it moved in October (I can't do it myself - too heavy!) and I'll do a bit of light pruning now and some mulch in the spring 
  • bédébédé Posts: 3,095
    KeenOnGreen said: I agree it looks in good shape.
    Language is a funny thing.  In my view "shape" is the main problem with your plant.
    Look at AllotmentBoy's pic.  Imagine how you would like yours to look in 10 years' time. So, not a light trim, but a good formative training.  You could read a Bonsai book.
     location: Surrey Hills, England, ex-woodland acidic sand.
    "Have nothing in your garden that you don't know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful."
  • Arthur1Arthur1 Posts: 542
    Despite what many people say, Acers are not delicate (although foliage is easily damaged).
    They are cold tolerant, grow well in multi purpose compost, do not need 'special' water or feed and respond well to pruning.
    Yours looks good. I agree that some thoughtful pruning might allow it to develop a good shape.
  • punkdocpunkdoc Posts: 15,039
    Disagree about the MPC, nothing planted long term will do well in MPC.
    How can you lie there and think of England
    When you don't even know who's in the team

    S.Yorkshire/Derbyshire border
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Indeed. A soil based mix for anything in a pot long term. Compost just disappears. Whatever is used, it needs looked at each year to see that it's still healthy, with some being replaced if necessary. Anything potted long term needs more attention than in the ground.
    I'd also say that rainwater is far better if your tap water isn't great, which is the case in many areas of the UK. Keep it in some shade if you get those long hot, dry spells too. It prevents foliage damage, and also helps to prevent them drying out too quickly.  :)
    "In good shape" just means in good condition as far as I'm concerned, as opposed to  the physical 'shape' of the plant. 
    I would also say that for anyone who isn't experienced, stick to pruning in the dormant period. Much easier to see the shape when there's no foliage. With more experience, you can experiment, but as a novice, it's very easy to make mistakes and end up with a mess. 
    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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