Has our Acer died?

Edward.francis · April 2023

Hi,

I've noticed that our Acer Garnet is looking very sad this year. This is the third year we've had it and previous years it's looked fabulous. It looks very "dead woody" and there are no signs of new leaves growing. It did get scorched last summer and I fear that may have affected it.

Any ideas?

Many thanks,

Ed

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/6030279/uploads/editor/1g/fy1b2u9w1i2f.jpg

Hostafan1 · April 2023

you might as well leave it another few weeks. You'll know for sure then

Fairygirl · April 2023

I wouldn't be too confident about that if it has no signs of new growth by now. Even where I am there are tiny little sprouts of growth showing.
They don't like drying out, so too much sun, an exposed windy site, and poor soil are all things it won't like.
If you're in one of those very dry parts of the UK, you need to ensure it has adequate water through spring and summer. The red ones like a bit of sun, but there's a big difference between a few hours of afternoon or evening sun, and being in it all day, especially through the hottest hours.
To do really well, they need decent soil with plenty of organic matter in it, good levels of moisture - especially in summer, and some shelter from wind and excess sun. I'm afraid your site doesn't look very promising for it at all.

Edward.francis · April 2023

Oh dear, that’s a shame. I always knew it was in full sun so had my doubts. I tried hard to water it but I’m away a lot with my job and last year was a scorcher. I’ll buy another one and put it somewhere better. I’m still redeveloping the garden so it’s going to take time to get it right. Now to think of something that likes full sun and is tree/shrub like. Something that only gets to about 2m tall.

Ed

AuntyRach · April 2023

I agree with both the posts above. All mine have leaf buds now, however, so I would prepare yourself for a no-show.

Your soil looks very dry with little organic substance so I would remedy that, whatever the outcome for the Acer.

Edward.francis · April 2023

I did put a lot of well rotted manure into it and top soil but the top layers have become compacted. I’m still landscaping the area. Still where I had it wasn’t the right place and there’s no point in fighting nature.

Can anyone recommend something that likes be in full sun?

Fairygirl · April 2023

If you're still landscaping and sorting out the area, there isn't much point planting anything just now.
However for a sunnier spot, Escallonia and Ceanothus are fine, but it's also worth considering how you want the whole border/area to look, before buying and planting anything. The structural planting - trees/shrubs, would usually be first though, then the mid and lower storey planting which is usually a mix of shrubs and perennials, grasses too if you like them, depending on the size of the space.

Nanny Beach · April 2023

Good advice as always from Fairy, they are Japanese woodland plants, they dislike sun or exposed sites with wind. You could try scraping a bit of lower bark,see if there's any green, but agree,it doesn't look hopeful. Depending on where you are,(we're the SE UK) ours are in various stages of bud,and getting leaves.

Papi Jo · April 2023

Fairygirl said:

[...]
To do really well, they need decent soil with plenty of organic matter in it, good levels of moisture - especially in summer, and some shelter from wind and excess sun. I'm afraid your site doesn't look very promising for it at all.

That's putting it nicely.

Has our Acer died?

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