Acer Trees

New to gardening and fancy 2 acer trees, when how please

Now is as good a time as any-hope you have deep pockets- at that size they do not come cheap

If you can wait a little while Morrisons may get them in, they had them last year for £7.00. about 3 tf tall, but they will grow. Put some ericaceous soil round them, they like acid ground.

It's nearly always better to buy small, plant well and watch them grow, whatever the shrub or tree.   If you're new to gardening this is especially so since you have to get the planting hole and after care right to avoid checking, or even killing, a more mature plant.

Find yourself a good garden centre or nursery somewhere nearby where you can look at and compare several specimens and ask about the kind of care and conditions they need.   Acers generally don't like full sun, need shelter from winds and extreme cold and like a neutral to acid soil with good drainage but plenty of moisture.

And remember that, though they are fairly slow growing, they do get bigger than 4-6 feet. Then you have to decide whether to spoil their elegant shape by pruning them or whether to take them out.

Wished I had known that Lyn, I bought a 3 footer 3 years ago this spring, it was about 3ft and cost me £15.

Although, its grown well and looks stunning.

 I like the green leaves at the bottom and red at the top.

Careful with that one, Dave.  If it's a grafted tree, the green leaves could be from below the graft (ie from the rootstock) and if the rootstock is more vigorous than the variety grafted onto it, the branches growing the green leaves will quickly take over.  Have a look and see if you can see the graft.  If so, and the green leaves are growing from below it, I'd advise pruning that branch off, close to the main stem.

The green leaves are from below the graft, but I quite like it. It has been there since I bought it and hasnt shown any sign of taking over. Haven't had to trim it yet, but may do it this year.