Japanese Maple (Acer) advice

heatherw_01

I had to move my tree last weekend, but since I have it is wilting slightly. Is there anything I can do to bring it back to life?

It did lose a small amount of roots in the move.

aussielle

It's possible that the plant is looking a bit sad because it's putting all it's energy into rebuilding it's root system.

Acers don't take kindly to being moved and the chances of sucess diminish the more muture the plant is.

The best time to move an Acer is before the new growth starts, ie winter time when the plant is dormant. You need to keep the rootball intact, (not strip it of all the soil) and it's best placed in a semi shaded spot, to avoid scorching from the sun.

I would be inclined to try a specialist feed from a nursery, to try and help it recover from the stress of being moved and see if that helps.

heatherw_01

Thank you, I might try some food for it.

Does anyone know what food this kind of tree likes?

aussielle

Acers are acid loving plants, so an ericaceous liquid plant food should do the trick

robowen

Your right aussielle ! :T

I moved mine a couple of years ago, and even left the top of the root ball showing after a downpour washed away the soil.

It did not look good at all. I lost about half of the tree as it died. I cut away the dead bits and replanted it in a corner, shaded and protected. It gets about a couple of hours sun a day (if its lucky !).

This year it has come up glorious. It has leaned over creating a sort of fan effect. Next doors cat sits under it to shelter from the rain !.

I've not touched it at all this year and I've seen plenty of new growth that makes me sure I have saved it :j

rob

boogiemaster

Just make sure when you move a tree to put lots of compost in the bottom, also add some growmore and fish blood and bone.
Making sure the tree has nutrients to help it recover from the stress you put it through.
It also helps give it a good start, and with plenty of food to help it along it will come back 100 time better.