Slotted maple is one of the maple species that are not native to Europe. It is therefore not surprising that home gardeners often complain about frost damage on the Acer palmatum. This guide explains the typical symptoms and gives tried and tested tips for countermeasures and prevention.

Slotted maple is only conditionally hardy

Recognizing frost damage - an overview of common symptoms

When slotted maple from Asia found its way into European gardens, the tree already had a conditional winter hardiness. Small, slow-growing strains have the advantage of being better equipped to withstand our cool, dry winter climate and shorter growing season. Nevertheless, frost damage can occur, which can be recognized by these symptoms:

  • Young shoots hang limp
  • Wilted, dry leaf tips despite wind-protected location
  • Gradually withering brown leaves

In the worst case, victims of delayed ground frosts throw off all their leaves. In less severe cases, the outer areas of the slotted maple are bare and the leaves have only survived inside the bushy crown.

Repair and prevent frost damage - this is how it works

After acclimatization of two to three years, a slotted maple in the bed is hardy. Until then, it may suffer frost damage in the harsh winter. In later years, there is still a pronounced sensitivity to frost if the sapling has already driven in the spring. We have compiled tips for damage limitation and effective prevention for you below:

  • Cut back frozen shoot tips into healthy wood
  • After partial leaf shedding, wait a few weeks to see if the slotted maple will regenerate itself
  • Equip with winter protection as a preventive measure in the year of planting and in the following years
  • Cover the root disc with at least 5 cm of leaf soil or brushwood
  • In the blazing winter sun and freezing frost, put on a fleece hood

A properly cared for sloth maple has sufficient vitality to recover from light frost damage. Therefore, please only reach for the scissors after a vitality test. To do this, lightly scratch the bark of affected shoots. Green webbing signals that the frost damage will be repaired on its own. If the twig is gray and dry under the bark, cut it off with sharp, sanitized scissors.

tips

Small cultivars of the slotted maple, such as 'Orange Dream' or 'Shaina', thrive in pots. If the location is outside of regions with mild winters, you can effectively prevent frost damage by allowing the tree to grow. From November to March, the Asian gem is better off in a frost-free, bright winter quarters.

Category:

Trees