Acer looks a bit poorly

[d000hg]

I planted a very small red acer this spring, about 9" tall I think. It's grown quite a lot and put on lots of new leaves - but as fast as new leaves arrive the old ones seem to disappear or go all brown and dried up looking. Some branches are entirely bare.

I thought snails were to blame, we get quite a lot, but I don't think this is the cause. It's a shame since it's such a pretty plant. Can anyone advise what the problem is and what I can do?

[Nicos]

Mine is in a pot and sort of does that when I forget to water it.

Having said that, I did have a large one where we used to live which kept dying back and when a tree surgeon came to look at lopping a huge tree in our garden I asked him about the dying leaves and stems and he said they don't like to be south facing.
Could that be the problem with yours?

[Scarlet]

Hmm, I had the same problem with a new one I received last year. Newly planted trees need a good soak every week, especially in warm weather that we've had over the summer. This year though it came back and now looks like it has got it's feet in the ground and settled in.

[Scarlet]

Ah, well Nicos is obviously key board queen!

[Kristen]

It might be wind or lack of water, but either way: Water more

IME Acers either like the spot you've put them in, or curl up their toes. The fact that one hates it doesn't mean that a different variety won't love that same spot.

They generally prefer acid soil, and moist well drained soil (which is an unachievable holly grail for most - incorporating plenty of leaf mould, or home made compost, will help though).

If it might be wind then erecting some sort of protection around it will help it get settled.

Or dig it up and put it in a pot so you can put it where it is happiest, and get some "heft" on it before you plant it back out again. You can also plunge-pot before actually planting out, and see if it objects or now, which will reduce the chances of it snuffing-it in that spot.

[Two_Sheds]

Acers really really hate the wind. Mine suffered for a couple of years, until the surrounding plants got tall enough to shelter it a bit. Now it's about waist high and looking good

[d000hg]

Thanks for the replies. It is in a very sheltered spot, in fact it's in a perfect sun-trap as our garden is directly south facing. Perhaps it is simply being scorched by too much direct sun?

I'll start giving it extra water - the fact it keeps putting on new growth made me think it was getting enough but it's worth a try.

I didn't realise Acers liked acid soil or I would've used ericaceous compost when planting it, like I did my blueberries. I have some left, is it worth digging some in on the surface so it can leach acidy goodness into the soil?

[Kristen]

I didn't realise Acers liked acid soil or I would've used ericaceous compost when planting it, like I did my blueberries. I have some left, is it worth digging some in on the surface so it can leach acidy goodness into the soil?

I wouldn't worry about it too much (unless you have very alkaline soil), but it won't do any harm, nor would some "assistance" for alkaline pH - seaweed foliar feed, sequestred/chelated iron or even some sulphur chips in moderation.

[robmarston]

If it's south facing I'd say that's too much sun. Dig it up, pot it and move it somewhere sheltered - bright but little direct sun. As previously mentioned, let it get some oomph on it and then plant it out.


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[Two_Sheds]

I didn't realise Acers liked acid soil

Neither did my acer
It's doing very well in my alkaline soil, though I water the garden with rain, not tap, water

[d000hg]

If it's south facing I'd say that's too much sun. Dig it up, pot it and move it somewhere sheltered - bright but little direct sun. As previously mentioned, let it get some oomph on it and then plant it out.

Interesting. How wet a soil can it tolerate? The shady corner of our garden is also prone to dampness (since it's shady I guess!) so I wonder if it could go there?

Neither did my acer
It's doing very well in my alkaline soil, though I water the garden with rain, not tap, water

Yeah me too. Water-butts all the way.

[robmarston]

Interesting. How wet a soil can it tolerate? The shady corner of our garden is also prone to dampness (since it's shady I guess!) so I wonder if it could go there?

Yeah me too. Water-butts all the way.

I've found that although it likes acid soil it can manage happily without. I tend to pot mine in multi-purp with a bit if ericacious chucked in, or a bit of leaf mould.
I wouldn't necessarily put it in a shady corner as it does like some light. The south facing is just a bit too much and too strong. Mine are all west facing so they are in light, but afternoon sun. I also wouldn't put it where the soil is permanently damp. They are thirsty and like water but the roots shouldn't be sat in the wet. Think that they grow on the sides of wet but rocky mountains in japan - often wet, but well drained. The curled up leaves in your pic suggest it was protecting itself from scorch or wind burn. It should recover fine but I'd still pot it as it's quite little in some compost with extra gravel added and put the pot on feet. Water often and try to keep it out of midday or early morning sun. Let it get established and a bit bigger before planting it out again. Or just leave it in a pot - they're very happy in pots 😊


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[TrialAndError]

If you think water may be the problem remember not to use tap water. Use rain water only, especially if they are in containers.