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Japanese acer


Hi,can anyone advise what I could do to stop this acer palmatum brown sugar from growing leggy?
Many thanks 
John 
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Posts

  • bédébédé Posts: 3,095
    edited March 2023
    Yes.  Prune it.

    I'm not suggesting that you turn it into a bonzai, but reading a book/google/U-tube might be of some help.

    It may sound drastic, but if you can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen.
     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."
  • Allotment BoyAllotment Boy Posts: 6,774
    You can prune but its not the best time if the leaves are just unfurling the sap has risen, if you cut it now it may bleed a lot of sap. There is a lot of nonsense talked about Acer pruning, many will say you can only cut them in the dead of winter when dormant.  This is not strictly true but there are limits to what you can do in the growing season. Wait now to end April/May trim lightly, if it's still too leggy cut harder next winter while dormant.  Get it into better light so it won't struggle,  Red leaved varieties can take a lot more sun than the green ones provided you keep them well hydrated. 
    AB Still learning

  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    There seems to be plenty of new buds appearing lower down @coppo02 , so I wouldn't do anything much just now - just let it grow and see how it looks over the coming months. You can then take a view on it in autumn/winter and trim if necessary   :)
    I can see that it's a B&Q purchase, and it's probably been sitting for a while, and been a bit crowded among other plants [if your outlet is anything like mine! ] so that will probably have affected it a little bit too.
    If it's staying potted, just make sure it has a suitable growing medium - ie not just compost, although that will be fine short term, and place it in a suitable site. They need moisture but good drainage, and reasonable light. The reds can take more sun as @Allotment Boy says, but that doesn't mean it would enjoy full on mid day sun through summer.  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • punkdocpunkdoc Posts: 15,039
    Totally unnecessary comment @bede, how will that help the OP?
    How can you lie there and think of England
    When you don't even know who's in the team

    S.Yorkshire/Derbyshire border
  • coppo02coppo02 Posts: 12
    Thanks for the helpful comments guys, @bede I'd rather you refrained from commenting on future posts of mine as your input is rather inflammatory,I'll bite my tongue this time!!
    I'm looking to plant this in the near future so all help and advice would be greatly appreciated. 
    T.I.A.
    John 
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Just pick a good site for it @coppo02  [John], and make sure you prep the site well - ie if the soil is a bit solid or a bit too free draining, add some organic matter to it and mix it all thoroughly. That may sound odd, but organic matter helps in two ways - better drainage in heavier soil and better moisture retention in lighter soil.
    Make sure it's not root bound or dried out before planting it.  How well it thrives will also depend on your general climate and conditions, but make sure it's well watered until established, especially going into summer, and if you're in a drier area. In wet areas, it's easier  :)

    Apologies if I'm stating the obvious - it can be difficult to judge how experienced, or not, a poster is, but don't be frightened to ask for further help with it if you're unsure    :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • Have a think about what shape you would like your acer to eventually be. It is a baby at the moment so I would leave it alone for this year except possibly plant out in the garden. I would be inclined to select one of the two stems to become the main trunk and remove the other stem, down to where it is growing from the other stem, making it into a single stemmed tree eventually. Unless you fancy a twin stemmed tree for interest. Perhaps keep the Y shaped stem and remove the almost straight stem. If you want a longer single trunk you can always remove one side of the Y in a couple of years time.
  • bcpathomebcpathome Posts: 1,313
    Firstly I’d say it needs more light to stop it going leggy again .Let it grow till late summer ,see what you’ve got and sort it then . Do what everyone else has said re. feeding etc but leave it for now to give it a chance . That’s my advice ….for what it’s worth .
  • gjautosgjautos Posts: 429
    I'm no expert on these, but the one I have in my garden looked exactly like that when I first got it. Once planted out, mines in the ground, it sorted itself out without any pruning. Now I just lightly prune the tips every April. 
  • punkdocpunkdoc Posts: 15,039
    I think the advice you have been given is good.
    Now is not a good time to prune an Acer, plus you have no idea what it will look like in a few months.
    See how it grows.
    Prune if necessary next Autumn/Winter.

    Ignore @bede, he is rude an unhelpful.
    How can you lie there and think of England
    When you don't even know who's in the team

    S.Yorkshire/Derbyshire border
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