Acer Problems
LegionOfBrad
Posts: 8
Hi there,
Over the last couple of days we've noticed that one of the acers is our back garden has wilted very badly.
Some of the buds that hadn't quite made it through to spring also seem to have shrivelled up and the whole thing is feeling very sorry for itself. I realise that it may well be the end for this tree as it looks pretty serious. Since noticing the wilt we have moved it to a more shady area as we thought maybe it was struggling due to the very sunny dry spring we have been having and it being situated in almost full sun.
The second acer we're having a problem with is a small "Little Princess" in that some of the tops of its branches have blackened and there is no leaf growth (the buds are black) The leafs that are growing are extremely healthy looking and aside from the dead parts it still looks ok.
It would be a shame to lose either plant and we're looking for some tips of how we can try to save them? We checked for bugs on both and there were a few small green ones (aphids) and we have since used an insect spray (provado insect spray)
If anyone has any ideas that would be grand!
Jon B
Posts
The top acer looks like it dried out for too long. Give it good regular soakings and keep your fingers crossed.
The first Acer is probably lack of water and should recover. I said probably as it could be wind damage. Also recoverable.
The second Acer is winter dieback, normal after winter - too dry/wind damage again.
Hi legion.
did you have moss growing in the top of your acer pots? If so, don't remove it, I have done this on more than one occasion and the trees really don't like it, it does act as a shading to the soil.
lack of water and wind is a massive problem to acers, use a pot saucer and to use other plants or object to shelter from wind. Some varieties don't mind a lot of sun as long as they have plenty of water and acidic soil.
Hi, many thanks for all the responses. Not at all worried about the green acer now if it's just winter die off. Should i cut off the dead branches back to where they're still alive?
I'll keep the weeping acer moist and move it into the shade. I scratched off the a little bark and it's nice and green so hopefully no fungle infection.
Re Moss: YEs it had a nice covering however we top dressed with a little compost which covered it.