Some growers prefer to shape their trees artistically or to thin out interior branches to better expose the graceful main branches. Leave the branches you want to have as major limbs but space them out so the tree looks more open and sparse. Looking at pictures of mature trees of your variety may help as a guide. Dig an area a little deeper and 2-3 times the diameter of the root system in the shape or a square or rectangle. Loosen the soil at the bottom of the hole and mix in a 2 inch (5cm) layer of compost and grit mixed equally. Multi Stem tree: Two or more stems arising from or near ground level, growing from one root system. Acer palmatum dissectum 'Orangeola' - a beautiful, mound-forming deciduous Acer has blazing orange red lace leaves throughout spring, turning bronze red in summer, then deep and fiery orange in autumn. Small, pendent clusters of tiny, reddish-purple flowers in spring are followed by red-flushed, green, winged fruit in summer. A beautiful Japanese Acer, eye catching and weeping - a stunning small architectural tree, ideal as a centre piece for your garden.

But, no matter how small your garden is, or how little space you have available, one plant you will be able to find space for is an acer tree. Hugely attractive, long lived, slow growing and with manageable heights these are the perfect trees for small gardens.

How big can acer trees grow?

It’s fair to say that even the most novice gardeners should be able to achieve great success with acer trees. Any required pruning should be done between January and February during the dormancy phase to prevent sap bleeding from the cuts and weakening the tree. Always cut just above a pair of buds. Positioning your Japanese Acer will depend on the variety but most will grow best in a sheltered position. Green-leaved trees will tolerate full sun but some shade in the brightest of conditions will help prevent scorch. Red/Purple leaved trees will need some sun to help their develop their rich colours while variegated leaved trees are more suited to partial shade as they are more susceptible to scorch from the afternoon sun. Low maintenance, this plant needs little pruning. If pruning is necessary, prune during the dormant season and avoid pruning in spring when the sap is running. Fertilize in spring before the leaves emerge.

This is such a sweet and beautiful tree. You will get so much enjoyment from this plant; A compact bush, amazing autumn colours - you name it! If you've always wanted a low-maintenance tree that's easy to grow and looks amazing in the summer AND also drips with red leaves in autumn then look no further. This tree has got it all. The leaves are quite delicate and a harsh wind can easily damage the stems and leaf tissue as they get whipped about. Acer palmatum dissectum 'Crimson Queen' - a deciduous Acer has an upright weeping habit, creating a mushroom like display. Finely cut, fabulous deep purple-red leaves emerge from red buds followed by brilliant scarlet and orange hues in autumn. Affected plants start to wilt, sometimes just one section, with lower leaves becoming discoloured to yellow and brown. The plant you receive from us will be around two feet tall and will growing in a large 5 litre pot.This fungus can develop when the conditions around the Acer become wetter than normal for a sustained amount of time.

They do require monitoring however as eventually their roots will become too large and a bigger pot will be necessary. Climber: Naturally climbing plant. Usually delivered running up a cane, ready to position in the garden.Japanese maples are most prone to damage in the spring because they leaf out early at the first sign of warm weather. However, in many parts of the UK there may still be further frosts in store which can be damaging, especially for young trees. Protect your tree using horticultural fleece when the forecast suggests a further frost. Whilst primarily known for their leaves, Maple trees can also produce flowers and fruits called 'samaras'. The fruits spin as they fall due to their shape and are commonly known as 'maple keys', 'whirlybirds' and 'polynoses'. Children often refer to them as helicopters and the US army even designed an air drop supply carrier based on this 'helicopter' technique. History & Uses of Acer Trees They are very hardy trees but they will do best in a sheltered aspect. They don’t do well in very strong winds. For red and purple (variegated) varieties a position out of full sun will prevent their foliage from scorching. Many of us have small gardens or restricted space in which to plant. This sometimes requires a bit of creativity and ingenuity in what we choose to grow so we can maximise the space available to us.