Are these Acer's in trouble? Should I do something?

darrenheaphy

I've planted, in front of a recent wall I did (backfilled with soil), 3 Acer's, can't recall the specific type. But I've noticed at the base the bottom branches look like they're really struggling. Trees are about 1.5 weeks old. Should I leave alone and the tree will recover in time or should I do something with them? I'm not watering that much, maybe twice since planted, as the soil is still damp there. Pictures attached

New Home

To me, the close-up photo seems to show that you've planted them too deeply, I'm sure someone else will confirm or otherwise.

vicwatson

Acers like acid soil, what soil type have you there?

jashar99

I think it is possibly from the strong winds of last week and the plants got burnt as a result

darrenheaphy

Oh yeah, it was fairly windy up here (top of a valley). The soil is more or less neutral, I think, I haven't checked it in years. Should I being giving the trees some sort of plant food supplement?

magicbastarder

no need to do that for a tree usually.
the wind would have been a problem, we're not particularly exposed and some fresh growth on my beech got a bit wind scorched.

looksee

Those acers really do not like wind and are easily damaged. I think you will find that, whatever about their current situation - and they do seem to take a while to settle - once their heads appear above that wall they will be very susceptible to damage from the wind coming down the slope. If they are a very small variety that may not be an issue.

I don't think the soil type is that significant, I have grown a very nice acer in very average, non-acid soil. Another one, in similar soil was more exposed even though in a completely walled garden and it suffered badly from weather.

Agree with NH that it looks a bit deeply planted, not sure if that would be a major issue though, usually trees are upset by too-deep planting.

Love your walls btw, they look very well.

darrenheaphy

Thanks all, appreciate the advice. Looksee, yeah, am very happy with it. It's a bit wonky but looks nice. I had to roam around looking for suitable stones, eventually got a farmer to send me some. It used to just be a steep slope. I've lined the top with perennials which hopefully will spill down over it and I'll plant a border of lavender across it today.

If I had enough stones I would have gone higher to create a more level area but was worried with the stones being too small the wall would be unstable with the kids playing and stuff

Treehelpplease

magicbastarder wrote: »

no need to do that for a tree usually.
the wind would have been a problem, we're not particularly exposed and some fresh growth on my beech got a bit wind scorched.

What is Wind Scorch?

New Home

It's when the soft leaves of a plant look like shrivelled and often black as if they've been scorched by a flame, but it's actually damage done by the wind.

Treehelpplease

Do they just fall off and regrow then? Similar looking leaves on my ash tree at the moment and I can't tell if it's because of the wind over the weekend or ash die back

standardg60

Treehelpplease wrote: »

Do they just fall off and regrow then? Similar looking leaves on my ash tree at the moment and I can't tell if it's because of the wind over the weekend or ash die back

There was an unusual constant easterly wind for a week or so which caused quite a bit of scorch. They should naturally recover over the next few weeks.

standardg60

darrenheaphy wrote: »

I've planted, in front of a recent wall I did (backfilled with soil), 3 Acer's, can't recall the specific type. But I've noticed at the base the bottom branches look like they're really struggling. Trees are about 1.5 weeks old. Should I leave alone and the tree will recover in time or should I do something with them? I'm not watering that much, maybe twice since planted, as the soil is still damp there. Pictures attached

Sangokaku/Senkaki..very nice.
Agree that it's wind scorch/ adjusting to a different environment but they don't look too bad. Give the leaves a spray when watering.