What to do with Aser tree?

[LittlestB]

I've got a medium sized Aser tree in the middle of my tiny garden. It's absolutely stunning but it's in a very strange place and takes up a lot of room. I'd like to put a lawn down at some point and don't think it'd be possible with it in the way.

I think we probably need to get rid of it but it seems such a shame. Would it be possible, do you think, to move it? Am a first time gardener so be gentle with me if this is an atrocious idea

[Thebookswereherfriends]

I had an Acer in a pot in the wrong place and wanted to plant it in the garden. You need to ensure it's not in a windy place and you need to put Acer compost in the hole before you put the tree in it -they don't like acidic soil or something like that. My Acer is extremely happy and thriving now - they are beautiful trees.

[LittlestB]

Thanks for your advice! This one is currently in the ground, would it survive being dug up?! Would hate to kill it. Considered sticking it online and asking someone to come and dog it up and take away, but it's so pretty!

[kernowgal]

How big is it (roughly) - height and width? If we're talking more than a metre height and width then it will be tricky to transplant.

Thebooks it's the other way round - they prefer acid soil but some will tolerate neutral to alkaline.

Whatever you do, I would wait until it has dropped its leaves (so early winter) as then it is dormant and you will do less damage when transplanting.

[LittlestB]

Will have to nc after this as it's probably quite outing but here it is! The way it hangs means I have to keep chopping bits off so we can sit outside/hang washing!

[LittlestB]

Also any tips on how to get bits of leaves and weeds out of gravel much appreciated

Big mound of soil next to garden fork is large self seeded ash tree which am trying (and failing) to dig up - now that WOULD get in the way!

[OhNoNotMyBaby]

If you don't want it in a pot or planted somewhere else in your garden I would sell it - ideally next spring when you've successfully dug it up and put it a pot over winter.
People will pay a lot of money for it - assuming it survives.

It is beautiful but I can see why you want it somewhere else.

[LittlestB]

Thanks OhNo - do you think the right person would be willing to dig it up too? Thinking when we do have the lawn turfed it could all be done at the same time.

On another note, I have discovered I bloody LOVE gardening! Been looking for a form of exercise is enjoy and think this is it. Am still a bit crap at it but am getting there. How did you all learn to do it? Trial and error?

[NanTheWiser]

IMHO, it's too big to transplant, you would need to dig at least 2 or 3 feet all round, and try to get a spade under the football to lift it. The roots usually spread at the same distance as the spread of branches, so it would be a really big job. Then you would need to dig an even bigger hole to plant it in!
I had a beautiful red cut leaf Acer in a very large tub, which I managed to plant in the garden, and that was only a couple of feet tall - unfortunately, my NDN had some new fence panels erected, and the contractors mangaged to step back on it and snapped it off about 6" above ground. Hopefully it will survive, and I can train a new leader for it.
It might be better to just get it taken out, and plant a lovely new one exactly where you want it.

[shovetheholly]

I would prune it back so it's less in your way (it looks like the shape could do with a bit of training), then I'd turf around it.

You can get rings that you put in to give clear soil like this:

www.pitchcare.com/shop/everedge-lawn-edging/everedge-garden-rings.html?utm_source=google&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=google_shopping&pcode=770EVERAG21&telx=01902-440268&gclid=CjwKEAjwmMS-BRCm5dn51JLbp1wSJACc61tFU_Ed52al6c2yS9PUTLrczZNWBErFWNfVQjgAYwj7yxoCJhrw_wcB

To give you an idea, an acer that large would cost hundreds in the shop! But I think it would be difficult to uproot and transplant without killing it. They are such lovely trees that it's a shame to lose it.

[HaveYouSeenHerLately]

I like shove's plan! Love the ring thingy! There must be ways and means of pruning acers...

Are you keeping the border at the back? Could you bring it forward slightly to incorporate the acer? It could then become a feature of your border with lawn in front.

Do you have any other photos/ angles? Don't want to out you

Not sure about getting leaves out of gravel! I generally pick the worst off and let the rest decompose through the gravel. Would a leafblower help? I've never used one

[HaveYouSeenHerLately]

ps Well done at catching the gardening bug, it's addictive isn't it!

I've learned via green-fingered relatives, trial and error, internet searches, asking questions and posting photos on here. So much more to learn but that's the beauty

Whereabouts are you in the UK, what aspect is your garden, try and find out your soil type and so on.

Quick google search suggests acers are best pruned between Nov- Jan in the UK when the sap is dormant. Also you have fewer leaves to contend with They respond to gentle pruning so as to maintain the natural shape. Try searching for pruning large or overgrown acers and see if that yields anything. Youtube videos are sometmes useful!