Acers and Salix

I have a pretty standard salix" flamingo" tree which after 2 years is not earning it's place in my garden. It is less than pretty, has the potential to be so but is very sparsely covered with the little bracts and is not happy. Before I dig it up, has anyone any hints on keeping these trees vigorous? It is in it's own bed in the lawn, kept moist,( my garden slopes slightly and is mostly clay ) and I prepared the planting hole carefully. On a similar subject, I have 2 acer, quite young in pots on the deck which catches the morning and midday sun but is higher than the rest of the garden and can be a bit windy. Can anyone suggest an ideal site for these little trees. The ends of their branches are going brown and brittle. I planted them in ericasious compost.

 

I also have a salix flamingo tree and my one is also not looking good, leaves are very brown, my one has it's own large pot. I shall watch this with interest to see what other folk think.

Val

 

Hi I put a salix in the new raised bed I did during the summer and its a bit in the shade but seems ok at moment, but there is some brown on the leaves.

Carl

 

I had a 'Flamingo' many years ago which finally succumbed ... lovely for a few years and then had to go. They must be liable to do this?
Your acers are in need of protection from the wind. They don't like it. The compost is not so important so long as it is free draining and kept moist

 

My salix (not sure how old) is six foot tall and stays in the shade most of the day and stays in constantly moist soil. Seem pretty happy and looks very good.

 

I have been reading up on small trees,and the comment on these salix is that they are pretty, but quite short-lived, so I don't feel so bad.
I had wondered about the acers. We live quite high above sea level and even in summer, my deck catches the prevailing wind. My neighbours have an acer in a pot ( 15 years old) facing north but with a privet hedge behind it and it is beautiful. To morrow, I shall relocate mine and maybe dig up the salix and re-locate to a shady spot. Now I have to decide what to put in it's place-decisions, decisions!!! Thank you

 

Well here is my tree, not good is it but I'm gonna try some extra TLC, more water, more food and see what happens, don't like to give up on a plant that I like any suggestions very welcome!!