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DORMANT ACER ON THE MOVE

GardenerSuzeGardenerSuze Posts: 5,692
in Plants
This is a friend's lovely Acer, they are moving in November.  As this is their pride and joy I wondered if you have any experience of moving large specimens. As you can see it is in a pot that is much too small and it is pot bound. The thought is to remove it from it's pot for removal purposes. Then perhaps  it could be put back into the pot straight way as it will be dormant [move is  November] will it will cope until it can be placed in a raised bed next spring? Or does it need to be potted on once the move takes place. Do you have your own compost' recipe' for growing Acers any thoughts would be welcome.
Sorry it is sideways a lovely plant I am sure you agree.
I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.

Posts

  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147


    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    I think the Acer will manage the move better than the container. It'll probably fall apart!
    A good chance to find a better one for it, even if it's just temporary. A plastic dustbin will do.  There's likely to be a bit of damage because of transporting, but that can be amended by some pruning, especially as it's a good time of year when they move.

    When I have them in pots, I just use garden soil, but a JI type would be best if they don't have the right soil [neutral to acidic]. Some grit or pea gravel added for drainage, and keep it off the ground if it's on a hard surface.
    As ever - climate will be a factor.  
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • ViewAheadViewAhead Posts: 866
    It is an absolute beauty.  I'd want to take that with me if I could.  


  • GardenerSuzeGardenerSuze Posts: 5,692
    edited September 2023
    @Dovefromabove Thankyou I have managed to get a few photos the right way up. This one didn't work. Now it is easy to see it's full beauty.

    @Fairygirl I think you may be right about the pot it has been in it a long time I believe.
    Perhaps one of those large white rubble bags with handles might work to support the pot.
    Not as far North as me and the new garden has the same aspect which should also help.

    It is easy to damage Acers but with a November moving date that is a positive, as you say prune whilst dormant.
    Hopefully it will be fully dormant in November so that anything broken can be cut back cleanly to a new shoot.


    Last winter dormancy was short here as I recall. I seen to remember one regular poster was concerned it was too late? 
    I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
  • Allotment BoyAllotment Boy Posts: 6,774
    I agree about potting into a plastic container, you can get big ones with handles that will make moving it easier , and lighter than that old half barrel even  if  it stays intact. If you really can't find something in time wrap the rootball in damp sacking and plastic sheeting over that. 
    AB Still learning

  • GardenerSuzeGardenerSuze Posts: 5,692
    @Allotment Boy With the damp sacking and plastic idea how long do you think it will be happy out of the ground. Do the roots dry out quickly on Acers? Something I am not sure about? Thanks.
    I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    It'll be fine if it's properly prepped before moving. At that time of year one good soaking should be enough to keep it happy for months. If it's kept in a shadier site that will help too. 
    The builder's bag would be ideal for it, but that would enable more drainage than a plastic bin, or the method @Allotment Boy  describes, just because of the nature of the material. 
    I wasn't sure what you meant about the dormancy thing @GardenerSuze . Did you mean someone thought November was too late to prune out any damage? That's quite strange - it would be fine at that time of year unless there was a reason- like frosty/icy periods etc. 
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • GardenerSuzeGardenerSuze Posts: 5,692
    @Fairygirl Found it 'Thinking about Acer pruning', a long thread!
    Thanks for your thoughts.
    I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Oh yes - @B3's acer. I'd forgotten about that thread-  no surprise there, I hear you say... ;)
    I wonder how hers is doing. 

    Hope your friend can move it successfully though, and then the dilemma of pruning can be avoided!
    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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