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Deformed acer leaves

HeyawcHeyawc Posts: 34
in Problem solving
I have a young orange dream acer which had a gnat attack back in May. I have a post about it here (https://forum.gardenersworld.com/discussion/1073058/suspected-gnats-gathering-on-my-acer#latest).

It was perfect with five lobes except for the gnats. When the gnats were gone (I sprayed a bit of soap water and mainly removed them manually), the tree started to wilt with leaves turning black and crispy. I thought it was the heat and probably underwatering, so I tried to water more often when the day was long. It shattered quite a lot of dried leaves, and when it finally started growing back some leaves, they were mostly deformed. I tried to look it up online for the cause of the deformation. Is it being infected with fungus? What’s wrong with it? There have been a few mushroom growing in the soil nearby. Is that related? What can I do to bring my acer back to its normal shape?



Posts

  • punkdocpunkdoc Posts: 15,039
    Most of those leaves have been wind or sun damaged.
    How can you lie there and think of England
    When you don't even know who's in the team

    S.Yorkshire/Derbyshire border
  • GardenerSuzeGardenerSuze Posts: 5,692
    @Heyawc I agree you do have a couple in the last photo that are turning for Autumn.
    I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
  • wild edgeswild edges Posts: 10,497
    I did warn you that acers were sensitive to soap spray. This spring was very hard on acers though as we had a lot of sun and drought very early on when the leaves were still forming and tender. I wouldn't worry this year since the leaves will all be gone soon but make sure the plant has good conditions for optimal growth next spring if you want the leaves to have a better chance.
    If you can keep your head, while those around you are losing theirs, you may not have grasped the seriousness of the situation.
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    It also depends on how/where it's planted - ie the soil, and how much room it has. It seems to be in a raised bed, and they tend to drain more rapidly.
    If it's right up against a fence or wall, that can be much drier as well, and it does seem very close to the fence.
    It also looks very crowded in there, and that can affect how much moisture it can access. 
    They don't appreciate poor air flow as well as that sun/wind mix affecting foliage, so you may need to take a view on whether the site is suitable long term for it.  :)  
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • HeyawcHeyawc Posts: 34
    Thank you all for the generous advice. It was supposed to be a shady location but somehow there has been quite a lot of sunlight in the past months. I have been watering it quite frequently these days. I will try to re-organise the plants in the sleeper and hopefully the acer will survive the winter and come back in a better shape next spring! 
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