ACER PALMATUM 'OSAKAZUKI' AND BUYING ONLINE

In my ignorance I made a terrible mistake only recently. I bought an Acer palmatum Osakazuki, and put it outside in my garden based on the information online. I was delighted when it arrived. As I opened the tall box the 6ft tree was full of lush, beautiful, green leaves and on removing it fully from the box I noted the three long stems that were a perfect foundation for me to grow it as a multi-stem tree which is how I train Japanese maples for my small garden. I had given plenty of information about the tree but there was no warning that such trees were grown protected from the elements in polytunnels. Within days the leaves showed damage and while I have been advised it is wind scorching or sun scorching, I was not aware that such purchases needed to be hardened off. So poor young Osakazuki is in a state of shock, I think.  I have been advised that it will recover soon enough.  I hope so. 

Acer palmatum Osakazuki - 7 May 2026

I had only ever seen Japanese maples growing at garden centre and so it just never occurred to me it needed hardening off.  That is a lesson learned.  I have found RHS advice re Acer Leaf Scorch albeit rather late in the day.

Acer palmatum Osakazuki - 7 May 2026

I was taking such care to ensure no harm came to the tree. I had even bought a beautiful terracotta pot for it and I planted it the way I have planted Acer palmatum Sango-Kaku  and Acer shirasawanum Moonrise, in its plastic pot within a terracotta pot packed with Melcourt Sylvabark Pine Mini Mulch to stabilise the tree.  The frost-proof Kitchen Garden Pot is on a plant caddy to keep it off the ground, not only for ease of moving it around if necessary but to allow for better drainage. 

Now have a look at what my gardening ignorance caused and it keeps getting worse but, again, I am assured it will survive and should revive this summer. 

Acer palmatum Osakazuki weather damage to leaves