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Trees and Shrubs : Planting
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Acer losing its leaves
I have a recently planted Acer palmatum atropurpureum. I used fish, blood and bone meal at planting and put wind break up to the east and north sides of it, it got some wind from the west but now it has started to shed the most of its leaves. It got a lot of rain since planting and although the clay is a bit heavy it seems dry enough. Is there anything i could do to help it?
250420121, Stranorlar, Co Donegal Posted: 10/07/2012
Acer cannot really take any appreciable amount of exposure. It is likely that this plant has come under pressure from wind without being rooted out properly into the surrounding soil to take up moisture.
It does not like heavy soil as this deprives the roots of adequate oxygen and finally, while fish and bone meal is organic, too much of it still challenges the root system, especially one that is under pressure from other factors.
So... it appears likely that a combination of adverse factors has put this plant under strain and it has responded by prematurely dropping leaves. it is likely not to thrive in this position and it should be moved in November to a more suitable position, if such is available.