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Acer problem?
Andy Leeds
Posts: 518
I planted this acer palmatum dissection 'Crimson Queen' March 2015. I noticed this spring that the leaves didn't grow to the extremities but thought it would be ok.
It hasn't improved and almost every 'branch' is bare and brown for about 6" or so. I know you aren't supposed to prune until dormant, do people think this is the best option (trim back to a bud?) in winter or is there something else I need to do?
It's in the far sw corner of my garden (so ne facing).
0
Posts
Ps... the problem isn't that it's a strange upside-down growing acer (sorry for the top photo).
Lots of Japanese Acers exhibit this die back on their branches and often it can be just wind damage. As your Acer faces NE then it could also be frost damage in the early part of this year. The dead bits can be safely trimmed at any time as they are dead.
Check the base, too, to make sure the stem isn't buried a little too low in the ground. From that picture, I'd look at that first. The site looks sheltered enough. If you've not had it long, you never know how it was treated before you got it. Give it a chance.
H-C