Image Credit: Stefan Schweihofer, Pixabayįactors That Determine What to Prune on Japanese Maple Treesīefore attempting any pruning practices on a maple tree, you must first ascertain what your cultivar looks like. If it outgrows its current space, do not prune or cut the canopy, you should also ask for help from a certified landscaper. Just like the upright maple tree species, the laceleaf also requires enough space to thrive. Finally, replant the plant if it grows too big for its space Start at the very bottom of the plant near the center and work your way up from the middle outward to each side.ĥ. Lower branches tend to crowd other shorter shrubs or limit movement on a walkway and work your way upwards inside out. Here is how to go about it: Pruning Upright Maples 1. However, it is best to prune maple trees with their natural growth patterns.Īfter identifying the specific cultivar and the shape you intend for your tree, the next step is trimming your plant. Both maple varieties grow in harmony with a unique branch growing patterns that require frequent pruning to maintain the shape. Their cousin, the upright maple tree, grows upright and features more solid leaves. The laceleaf variety grows in a weeping structure with leaves that appear lacy. The Japanese maple grows in two varieties: the upright and laceleaf maple tree. The 5 Tips on How to Prune Upright and Laceleaf Maple Trees Image Credit: Marco Fornari, Shutterstock Also, ensure that you clean your pruners between every tree. So, it is pertinent that you clean your tools before and after making any cuts on your maple tree. If the tools you use are not cleaned, you risk transferring the infections to other plants in your yard. As you may have gathered by now, pruning is often done to remove any dead or diseased branches. While most people often forget or skip this step, you should wet a paper towel with rubbing alcohol and apply it to the wound after pruning. Rubbing Alcohol and Paper Towels: These are perhaps the most underrated tools in pruning.If you use this tool to cut anything thicker than a finger, you will have to use a saw and make sure the pass-through is sharp enough to handle the job. Pass-Throughs: These tools are great when making cuts on a plant that is a bit larger and when the cut doesn’t need to be precise.They are often used on Bonsai Japanese maple to make detailed and intricate cuts. Sure, there may be other cheaper varieties in the market but these tools are high-quality steel pruners. Joshua Roth Bonsai Pruners: These are a type of concave bonsai pruners that are popularly used to prune maple trees.Finer pruning can be done during the months of late spring or winter because sap production tends to be lower, thus minimizing the chances of the tree bleeding out and losing its growth energy. The idea is to remove any diseased or dead branches (which can be done during summer) while reducing the plant to a desired shape and size. Pruning should be done on mature trees, which are strong enough to avoid pruning complications. During these cold winter months, the tree will have less dense foliage, allowing you easier access to the branches. However, pruning is best done between November and January (give or take a few weeks) when the tree is dormant. Both summer and winter are widely accepted as ideal times for pruning the Japanese maple tree. You just need to carry out regular pruning to encourage new growth, which in turn, will promote root growth and establishment in the ground. The Japanese maple tree doesn’t have a strict pruning pattern. So, it’s best to prune Japanese maple trees when temperatures are below 80 degrees Fahrenheit while ensuring you do not off-cut off more than 1/5 of the crown foliage. Sure, you might have a better gauge of the branches that need trimming during summer however, the high summer temperatures can have adverse effects on a pruned maple tree. During this season, you get to see overgrown branches and the growing structure of the tree. However, the best time to shape and prune the tree is in winter or late spring. These ornamental trees do not have a strict pruning regimen. This article will explore the pruning schedule of Japanese maple trees and the tips and tricks of pruning this ornamental tree for optimum results. Despite having minimal care and pruning needs, most people often wonder when and just how to prune it to increase its growth vigor. Depending on the environmental conditions, the tree can grow up to 40 feet long with broad leaves that add to the tree’s aesthetic appeal. The Japanese maple is one of the most popular ornamental trees revered by botanists and gardeners all over the world.
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