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Pruning Acer

pouryasANCZ44k_pouryasANCZ44k_ Posts: 10
in Problem solving

Hi there

 

I'd appreciate some guidance for caring for my Acer. I'll attach a bunch of pictures below.

 

I'd like to know if my Acer is ok or not. It has got a lot of seemingly dead branches. The pictures below are after I cut a good 10 small to medium size branches from the middle of it which is why the middle looks a little naked. However, it seems like there are far too many dead-looking branches.  Is it fair to assume that a branch is dead as soon as it goes lighter? Also how about some of the more light green-looking branches? Could you also zoom in on the picture at the top of the Acer and let me know if they are all dead or not? The top seems like a tangled mess and I don't know what to do with it. 

 

Should I wait for spring to do more pruning, once I know for sure that a branch is dead?

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Posts

  • pouryasANCZ44k_pouryasANCZ44k_ Posts: 10

  • punkdocpunkdoc Posts: 15,039
    yes, there are clearly some dead branches. I would wait until it is in leaf, then remove the clearly dead branches.
    How can you lie there and think of England
    When you don't even know who's in the team

    S.Yorkshire/Derbyshire border
  • pouryasANCZ44k_pouryasANCZ44k_ Posts: 10
    Is it concerning that a lot of them are white? 
  • punkdocpunkdoc Posts: 15,039
    There do seem rather a lot.

    Things to check: does the pot drain freely, what compost is it in, does it get reasonable shade, is it in a windy place?
    How can you lie there and think of England
    When you don't even know who's in the team

    S.Yorkshire/Derbyshire border
  • bédébédé Posts: 3,095
    edited February 2023
    I suggest you read a book or two on bonzai training.  Just for design ideas.  You don't need to be too small; what you have is a tree-in-a-pot = bonzai.

    Start by taking off all the dead branches.  Those that don't show green when scatched.  Then stand back and decide on the shape you want.

    Cut to just beyond a bud, anything left beyond that will die.  And acers just seem to lose a small branch now and again for no reason that is apparent tp me.
     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."
  • pouryasANCZ44k_pouryasANCZ44k_ Posts: 10
    The concern right now is to keep my tree alive. Once I'm sure it's alive, I'd try and prune it to shape.

    @punkdoc, Last summer, I repotted my plant and a lot of its leaves fell within a couple of weeks. That was during summer with very little rain so I don't think not draining the water was the cause of it. I repotted it because it fell over because of wind and I wanted it to have a better support on the ground in a bigger pot

    Right now, in this pot, I believe it drains well. I changed its location to a less windy and less sunny location and I've put all-purpose compost inside the pot. 

    There seem to be way too many branches which are concerning me a lot. 
  • punkdocpunkdoc Posts: 15,039
    From what you say, lack of water last summer was probably the cause.
    How can you lie there and think of England
    When you don't even know who's in the team

    S.Yorkshire/Derbyshire border
  • pouryasANCZ44k_pouryasANCZ44k_ Posts: 10
    I just cut a little bit of the main trunk to see if they were green and as you can see, there is a point from which the trunk isn't green anymore. Does that mean I have to cut it entirely from there?
  • pouryasANCZ44k_pouryasANCZ44k_ Posts: 10

  • bédébédé Posts: 3,095
    edited February 2023
    pouryasANCZ44k_ said:
    I just cut a little bit of the main trunk to see if they were green and as you can see, there is a point from which the trunk isn't green anymore. Does that mean I have to cut it entirely from there?
    Yes.

    And I use John Innes No3 (you can get an acidic version), it makes the pot heavier and so less likely to blow over.
     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."
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