Acer Palmatum Bloodgood in clay soil

[BooseysMom]

Hi, can anyone please help me to decide whether to risk planting this acer in clay soil?
I would love to grow a beautiful acer as a centre point of the lawn. We will dig in as much compost as we can but essentially the ground is compacted clay as it's a new-build garden. Is it worth buying one?
Thanks x

I don’t know about that specific acer, but I have two acers in clay soil that seem to be very happy.

@SalviaOfficinalis thanks, that's good to know 😊I did plant out a tiny acer straight into the ground after adding ericaceous compost and it didn't grow at all in 2-3 years so I transferred it to a pot and now it's trebled in size and is looking great. So that's why I'm reluctant to plant into the ground again!

My Bloodgood took a bad hit from the heatwave this year, so don't assume because of leaf type and colour it will be OK in full sun if you do plant it ...

We have clay soil here and acers seem to do well in it, although the Bloodgood specifically is actually in a raised bed which has only been there a couple of years so hasn't gone too tough yet.

Thanks for your post. Yes that's a very good point about heatwaves. Although it's a north facing garden, it would be exposed to midday sun and gales in the winter. I think I'd be better off planting it at the side somewhere more sheltered.

The gales could be a problem. Acers are woodland/woodland edge trees and don’t like drying out. Wind increases transpiration from the leaves and the roots can’t replace the lost water fast enough.

Thank you. I will have to plant in a more sheltered spot and hope! If it doesn't like it, I can always transfer to a pot like my other one