My Japanese Acer Tree

Hey guys I'm new to this forum and a complete amateur to the world of gardening. We moved into our house about 3 years ago and we have what we believe to be growing at the rear of our garden a Japanese acer tree. A friend of ours came over who's fairly knowledgeable and she seems to think it could be quite expensive. We where thinking of pulling it out to move our shed there but are holding back from doing this until we can value this tree.
I was wondering if anyone here could share their expert knowledge in finding out how much this tree is worth.
The tree is approximately 8ft high and approximately 6ft
wide.
I'll post photos once I've figured out how to do that. In the mean time your help would be greatly appreciated.

 

Good evening CP1 and welcome to the site. A lot depends on the variety and wether it is an acer, but I would say at least in the low hundreds.

 

Hi
Thanks for your reply.

Just been looking up on Japanese acers and there are countless varieties . Will be tricky matching up the exact type. Will post photos soon .

 

Post the pics CP1 we have a very good expert on here.


The man has arrived, good evening Sam.

 

The value of your tree will be considerably taken up by the cost of having it moved

 

Acer tree pics








As promised guys photos of my acer tree

 

CP1, It is a Japanese maple, so Acer palmatum (something or other!) I don't know which one, hope someone can help you. It is such a lovely small garden tree and will no doubt turn a good autumn colour...seems a shame you can't put the shed somewhere else? I don't think the monetry value of it is really much of a consideration though to be honest. It would cost hundreds to buy one this size in a container, but I can't see you being able to guarantee a successful move. It's really mature, also really close to the fence. You would need to do it over a couple of years, cutting a trench and then undercutting etc.
If you were decided to dig it out anyway, I would be tempted to give it a chance and dig as much of the rootball as possible this autumn, then prune the tree quite hard and to a nice shape, replant, water and hope!

 

Thanks for your help. Youre right its a beautiful tree but unfortunately the previous owner to our property decided to have the shed in the middle of the garden. Having the shed there makes our garden look smaller plus we want decking or a patio area put in hence the need to move the shed there at the back of the garden.
Weve been going through all our options which are very few with moving the shed and it seems the most logical to move the shed there.
It does seem a shame that moving the tree may kill it or the other option would be to sell it but like you say will need expert care with this operation.

 

If you were buying a tree that size from a Garden Centre you could well expect to pay a hundred or two. If you are selling it you could expect to get fifty quid if you were lucky, especially as its chances of survival must be considered slim (all of Julie's points are good ones) and as it really does sound as though you are needing to move it quickly. Generally you should never attempt to move a tree until it is dormant (late autumn) to give it the best chance of survival. The root ball of that tree would have to be substantial ... you would never move it without mechanical help.
If you are determined to dig it out now it has practically no chance of survival, so you can forget value completely
It would also not be practically possible to identify your tree with any degree of accuracy, and it could well not even be a named cultivar. There are thousands of named Japanese maples
Dai ... thanks for your vote of confidence Not sure I can live up to it though .....

 

You always impress me with you knowledge, Sam. CP1, whay can`t you put the shed in the opposite corner?

 

bottom line .... tree has to be moved irrespective, as it is in the way of the new shed

so, take your chances .... dig as deep and wide as you can to get as much of the roots .... and try not to disturb the soil on the root ball

transplant immediately.... water well and add some wondergro fertilizer etc and hope for the best .... leaves may fall off or curl before autumn but the tree may recover in spring ... prepare the new hole well with compost and john innes mixed with blood/bone etc .... I would also add superphosphate in the bottom of the new hole to aid the roots

they are pretty hardy if placed in the correct position (I have found they do not like strong sun or strong wind or too much watering)

water (deep) once a week for the next few weeks and hope for the best

it's worth a try instead of destroying it and taking it to the tip .... lovely tree and good luck!