I've been trying to restore this Acer after it was HEAVILY cut back last winter. It's managed to sprout new leaves!, but I'm worried they look a little wilted. Is there a problem or am I worrying over nothing?
by Doublingcube9
I've been trying to restore this Acer after it was HEAVILY cut back last winter. It's managed to sprout new leaves!, but I'm worried they look a little wilted. Is there a problem or am I worrying over nothing?
by Doublingcube9
17 Comments
WTF did you do with your Acer!!! That is just how new Acer leaves look.
Poor thing is probably root bound in that little pot too.
Even if it survives, is it worth keeping it?
We had a lovely mature acer that we had to cut back due to building work. We just left a stump about 10cms above ground. I expected that would have killed it, but It re-sprouted just like this, and has now grown a lot of new shoots. We now have a smaller acer bush than a large tree, but a glad it survived!
https://preview.redd.it/xufreotogwzg1.jpeg?width=608&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=616a4067224fa3fce53b791eb5f5eb8c1d2f53f7
People are overreacting imo. Pull out the really low shoots and let it do its thing. I’d probably re pot it as its going to be root bound in that pot
They’re not meant to be pruned really unless they have crossing branches or dieback. Dead, damaged, diseased branches.
Other than that, they make their own natural shape which takes a lot of time.
Pot it into a bigger pot, that is wider than it is deep ideally. If not, just a 35l or 40l pot would be a huge improvement. Do not bury the trunk too deep (they like shallow roots near the surface). Use 50% ericaceous compost, 50% John innes number 3. Feed it a granulat/powdered acer feed twice in the growing season (eg. March and then June). In a few years hopefully it will have a new shape again.
I must admit it does look ugly right now! It has a long way to go. It may or may not survive, but it is the best try. Keep it watered too every few days.
bonsai it might look cool too
The poor thing but it looks like it’s hanging in there. Desperately needs a new bigger pot, fresh compost and topsoil mix. Place it somewhere sheltered from the wind and sunny with lots of water. I inherited a similar acerz after a year it suddenly came to life and is now looking really good, so patience is needed, but with that big trunk it’s going to look great if managed properly.
You got yourself a bonsai cooking.
Perfect opportunity to get into bonsai.
Bonzai it.
Personally I wouldn’t touch this year, just bit of feed and avoid it drying out. It’s looks like its about to shoot/should be fine. (especially wouldn’t anything til spring growth over, late June on)
By summer end you should have some strong young branches/shoots and decide what to do with it early next spring (is interesting Bonsai potential in there).
Yea the leaves look good, that’s how they look when they are first sprouting. They will be happy full leaves in a few weeks.
I agree with the replant.
I bought a little Acer shrub on Morrisons, will it grow big like an acer tree if pruned properly?
I think that they like to have cool roots but without the shade of the leaves it might not be happy.
Make it a bonsaï ….
Mine got ruined by the weather last year so I cut it all back and now it’s growing back again