I Would Like To Replace A 90s Conifer Bed With An Acer One. When Would Be Best Time To Do This?

Question

The bed is in a south facing garden but overshadowed by neighbour’s ash and sycamore trees. Can you recommend acers that would do well in this situation?

Answer 1

Planting, really, depends on where you are located. Usually, late Spring after the threat of freezing temperatures. Even better will be to wait until the temperatures rise into the 50's. This will help with faster transplant.

There is, still, the issue of making the bed suitable for a Maple. Likely, you will have to test the soil, and bring the pH up. You may not have to add nutrients, but a soil test will confirm.

There are many trees in the genus, Acer, that will do well in shade. The Silver Maple, or Acer saccharinum will tolerate shade very well. This article will help: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/trees/maple/growing-silver-maple-trees.htm

The Norway Maple or Acer platanoides can be a good shade option as well. This article will help: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/trees/maple/growing-norway-maple-trees.htm

Another shade Acer is the Korean Maple, or Acer pseudosieboldianum. This article will help: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/trees/maple/growing-korean-maple-trees.htm

Shantung maple trees (Acer truncatum) will be one more option that you can choose. This article will help: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/trees/maple/growing-shantung-maples.htm

The most obvious will be the Japanese Maple, as they are shade tolerant. This article will help: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/trees/japanese-maple/japanese-maple-care.htm

Finally, if you are willing to look outside of the genus, Acer- There are many options for shade trees available. This article will help: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/trees/tgen/trees-for-shady-areas.htm

Answer 2

Thank you for this very comprehensive answer!