Acers

[Rosefriend]

Why is there such a difference this year in my Acers. Only one is showing true autumn colour - and that is the Acer Palmatum Dissectum Viridis.
I have 5 others and they are still looking normal. Is it because the Viridis is a very light leaved variety?

Also I have a Acer palmatum Orange Dream that is a lousy shape - can I cut it - I have never had to cut an Acer before so I am not quite sure if I have to watch out for something or not.

Does anyone know what happen to Acer palmatum "Butterfly" in Autumn - do variagated Acers show any Autumn colour or do they just loose their leaves.

Rosefriend

[Deleted]

I have a small Orange dream, Rosefriend, and it shoots out all sorts of straggly branches which make it look untidy, so I have trimmed it back to something more presentable. It doesn't seem to have hurt it, if anything it's improved it, not only is it a better shape but it's bushier and appears more healthy.

[andy]

I have a 20' high A. palmatum 'okasaki' (spelling ?) and soon, it will turn from green to the most amaizing shade of blood red. Pics to follow !!!

[Rosefriend]

Well normally I always wait for my A. palmatum Chitoseyama (the one that was knocked about a bit in the last storm) and Kotohime but this year there is something odd about the whole lot of them.

My Palmatum dissectum Garnet has lost all it's leaves without doing anything at all.

Thanks about the Orange Dream Thelemon - actually someone gave it to me and I haven't really lliked it from the word go - however if it gets a lot bushier with pruning then I will have a go - basically it cannot look worse than it is.

When do I prune, - autumn, spring or when is it better.

Rosefriend

[Deleted]

>When do I prune, - autumn, spring or when is it better.

Ummmm. Actually, I have to admit I just took the Felcos to it whenever there was a straggly bit sticking out and also when some of the leaves got scorched, so it wasn't at all scientific, I was just tidying it up as I went along. I'm not a great fan of it either, but it's nice where it is, it stands out as if it has a light on it in a darkish part of the garden.

[Rosefriend]

but it's nice where it is, it stands out as if it has a light on it in a darkish part of the garden.

Well Thelemon - I suppose that is the reason that I am hanging on to it - it is just that it grows so straggly.... Mind you a neighbour gave it me and I can see her looking when she comes into the garden so I am very loathe to get rid of it..........

I will get pruning and see what happens
Thanks
Rosefriend

[oldmoleskins]

rosefriend said:

.

I will get pruning and see what happens
Thanks
Rosefriend

Well, when you do, think "bonsai" not "pudding basin". Not that you want to miniaturise it - but selectively cut for an interesting shape, not an overall reduction - and as to when, well anytime you're moved to, other than Spring...

OM.

[sweetleaf]

I was watching Stefan whatsisname ? bug something late last night and he mentioned an Acer for dappled shade any clues, people? I have a largeish tree at the bottom of my small garden and would love to have an Acer in that area, but it would have to remain quite small a "tall" order I suppose lol ;D

[Rosefriend]

Hi sweetleaf

There are a lot of Acers that stay small and in so many shapes and sizes - I cannot tell you the sorts - others will have to do that but I think it is certainly worth a go.

I love them - basically for the delicate leaves and form. I hope that someone with more knowledge of Acers will help further - I only really know the ones that I have bought.

Rosefriend

[Rosefriend]

Well OM - you say Bonsai and not Pudding basin - well yes but I think that Thelemon will also tell what an ungainly tree/shrub Orange Dream is.

It grows long straggly branches and to be quite honest if I cut it bonsai - well I don't think that it will make a lot of difference really. My first instinct was to cut back hard and hope that the shape that it acquired would be better than the one it has now - well that would be the case because it hasn't got a shape at all at the moment.

How far back am I NOT allowed to cut it?

Rosefriend

[oldmoleskins]

My first instinct was to cut back hard and hope that the shape that it acquired would be better than the one it has now - well that would be the case because it hasn't got a shape at all at the moment.
How far back am I NOT allowed to cut it?
Rosefriend

go with the instinct, rosefriend - use the current growth to form opinion of the likely result. You're unlikely to kill it unless you go right back to the trunk - and you won't be doing that, will you...

OM.

[Deleted]

sweetleaf said:

I was watching Stefan whatsisname ? bug something late last night and he mentioned an Acer for dappled shade any clues, people? I have a largeish tree at the bottom of my small garden and would love to have an Acer in that area, but it would have to remain quite small a "tall" order I suppose lol ;D

Crocus have a good selection sweetleaf - the list includes some which are described as "small"
Take a look at this link -
www.crocus.co.uk/search/pl/?StartRec=1&q=acer

[sweetleaf]

Acer Palmatum "Butterfly" looks yummy,and just exactly fits the bill!
I can plant it to screen the view of next doors "Bomb Peck".......Thanks Rita x

[Rosefriend]

Hi Sweetleaf

Acer palmatum "Butterfly" is lovely and as it doesn't grow quickly it is ideal for small areas, and it lightens up shadier areas well.

Rosefriend

[blackrose]

I have two acers in my garden one is a shrub whilst the other a tree, can't tell you the Palmatum thingmy names at the moment but the tree has shed it's leaves, is this normal as the other still has most of its leaves. Do they shed leaves for the winter.

[Rosefriend]

Hi Blackrose

Yes Acers lose their leaves for winter - the other one that you have won't be far behind in shedding it's leaves.

I have 6 and 2 still have some leaves on them.

Rosefriend

[Rosefriend]

Now that all my acers have lost their leaves, I have been able to look at them properly. There is so much dead wood on them - surely that cannot be normal..........

I am very much afraid that I may lose 2 or 3 this winter - there doesn't seem to be too much healthy wood showing. As they are all in tubs except my Chitoseyama, would it help to cover them in fleece or shall I just take the risk?

My "Orange Dream" has been cut back - well my OH said that I had crucified it - hope it pulls through in the spring......must admit I was a bit heavy handed with it.

My A. "Viridis" has a wound on the main branch that is slowly getting bigger - do Acers suffer a lot from this type of thing?

Rosefriend

[Deleted]

I thought of you yesterday, Rosefriend. I was wandering around the garden, as you do, and noticed that my Orange Dream was getting all wispy again, so approached with my trusty Felcos to give it another haircut. When I got closer to it I saw that the leaves were absolutely beautiful, I can see why it got it's name. I know it wasn't as good last year, but it had been attacked by something then and hardly had a complete leaf to its name. Maybe the constant cutting back has helped!

[Rosefriend]

That is really good to hear Thelemon as I attacked mine with such a vengeance that there isn't a great deal left, I am afraid.

I do so hope that next year it will do a lot better - I did notice the leaves before I slaughtered it and some were a really lovely colour.

I will give it an extra piece of fleece for the winter and pray that I haven't finished it off.

Rosefriend