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Acer leaves not opening

Hello! I'm new to the forum and I wonder if anyone can help me out please. 

My Acer Palmatum Orange Dream doesn't seem to want to open its leaves. Those that have are small and wilted. 

I moved it in the autumn about 1m from where it was so it's the same ground conditions, and it was doing fine last year. I also have another Acer and that is OK. 

Could it be the recent cool and wet weather we've been having this winter/ spring?

Thanks for your help! 

Posts

  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Cool and wet is what they like, so it's not that  :)
    There are various reasons as to why it looks like that @millyuns_1st - the most likely one being that it's been moved recently, and is still establishing it's root system. The swings in weather and temps will have knocked it for six too. That's exaggerated if it's a large specimen and has been in the ground for a long time. 

    What size is it and how long had it been planted when you moved it? That will affect it's relocation. 
    Why did you move it , and can we see the whole plant?
    Acers leaf up at different times depending on type and site/climate etc. The palmatums are generally easier though, in terms of care, but we need more info.  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,340
    I don't know what the problem is, but just looking the your photo it looks like the leaves have unfurled due to the time of year but there's not enough water getting to them to expand them.
    I don't know if that IS the case, but likely to have something to do with the move. If there aren't enough roots then the plant get enough water to all the new leaves that are unfurling now.
    If its new location is suitable and there's enough water at the roots, hopefully it'll recover.

    The only other thing I can think of is that they could have been nipped by a harsh frost just as they were opening. If that's a possibility where you live.

    See if you get some other ideas.
    Hope it recovers

    🤞


    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • Thanks for your replies.
    Size wise it's about 70cm tall and the trunk about the circumference of a finger, so not particularly big. I think it had been planted about a year and moved it purely for aesthetic purposes. As I said it's literally a metre from where it was.
    I can't see it being a lack of water as it did nothing but rain every day in March and most of April here. Frost is quite possible though. 
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    I don't think your site is very suitable- far too much other stuff around it, which is all competition. It would help it to have a good clear area around the base, and a good mulch to keep weeds etc at bay. 
    However, it'll probably be fine. It looks as if it's very one sided though, so you may want to do a little pruning and shaping when it's dormant later in the year. 
    If you're in a consistently rainy area, like I am, that will help to establish it, but it won't be properly established until later in the year    :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • That's good to know that it should be fine, I'll keep an eye on it and see how it goes. Thanks again! 😀 
  • M33R4M33R4 Posts: 291
    My red acer looked a whole lot better after I gave it a drink of seaweed last week so perhaps tidy up around it and feed it.
    I wish I could garden all year round!
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