Acer and Crab apple tree

When I was out earlier, I passed a decent looking Pittosporum in a garden. That could be a useful shrub to hide the bend on the Acer if you keep it.

When you say it's south facing - do you mean that bed is south facing, or the garden itself -ie from where you took the photo?

It could have been a combination of the removed hedge and neighbouring trees causing the trees to lean [I'd assumed the hedge was largely responsible] but it's doubtful that the Acer is going to recover well. You can only wait and see, and if you think it's worth keeping, you can go from there with other planting, or removing it. They're so readily available that you could always treat yourself and get another one.

 

The garden sorry is south facing - that bedding area is east facing and gets sun early on. I think youre right it probably was the hedge when i think how big it was - the Acer was actually buried in it. the suggestion of maybe a few shrubs sounds like it could be a good easter weekend project! =)

 

It's worth improving the soil in the area first though - plenty of organic matter. That will benefit anything new you plant.
I know it's always tempting to get some new plants and get them in, but the prep is the most important bit, and saves a lot of money in the long run too

 

If considering removing the Acer anyway, why not give it a fair chance.

If the plan was to simply take it out and bin it, why not just cut it down, leaving about 2ft of the trunk? I'd look closely to see if there are an tiny dormant buds on the trunk. They'll stay dormant as long as there's growth further up. That's just how trees work. If you find such super tiny dormant buds, I'd be tempted to cut the tree above said buds and wait a couple of months or so. There is a chance that the Acer might then branch out at the formerly dormant buds. If it doesn't, then after a few months, continue removing as planned with nothing lost by trying.

 

Cutting/coppicing the acer was something I considered suggesting earlier but to as if it's worthwhile I think the species of acer is important. If it's something like acer campestre or acer pseudoplatanus then it worth be worth a go but if it's a less thuggish species then you might have less luck. I wouldn't do it now though because the sap is rising and you are pretty likely to kill it, it would need to be dormant to stand a chance but if the hedge removal is recent I'd just see how the increase in light changes it's growth.

 

I just left my apple tree alone. I didn't think it a problem. It was just the head gardener who was concerned it would topple over.