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The Japanese Maple is a tree with striking red leaves that requires little maintenance. Pruning the tree a few times each year is a great way to ensure it stays healthy and visually appealing. You can prune a Japanese Maple in various styles, from light trimming to more intense cutting, depending on the season and the tree's condition. With a garden shear and the proper technique, you can remove excess branches and shape the tree beautifully!
Steps
Select the Right Time and Tools
Prune the Japanese Maple Tree in winter, if possible. While you can prune the tree almost anytime throughout the year, the best period for pruning is during the last frost of the season.
- Avoid pruning when the temperature exceeds 27°C, especially if the tree is exposed to full sunlight. The tree is more vulnerable to sunburn if its canopy is pruned too much.
- Light pruning can be done at any time of year, except spring. Spring is when the tree has the most sap flowing.
- You may prune the Japanese Maple twice a year – once in winter and once in summer, depending on your preference.
Avoid pruning when the tree's energy levels are at their lowest, such as in early spring and late autumn. The Japanese Maple is most vulnerable when the new buds sprout in spring and when the leaves fall in autumn. Do not prune during these times as the tree is at its weakest.
- Both of these periods last for about two weeks.
- Spring is generally the worst time to prune, but if the tree has fully developed leaves, pruning can be done safely without causing harm.
Prune minimally if the tree is sick. If the tree is ill or damaged, allow it to heal before performing any heavy pruning. Only remove small sections or dead branches, as even light pruning can deplete the tree's energy.
- Carefully assess the health of the tree. If the tree seems weak or severely diseased, it is better to nurse it back to health before pruning.
- If you are pruning a sick tree, make sure to disinfect your tools to prevent spreading the disease.
Avoid pruning trees that are under 15 years old, if possible. While you can prune a young Japanese Maple, cutting off branches may lead to an unnatural, sparse shape. Unless you're removing dead or diseased branches, it’s best to avoid pruning trees younger than 15 years old.
Never remove more than one-third of the tree’s canopy. The tree can be seriously harmed and become more susceptible to disease if too many branches are removed. Each time, only remove about one-third of the canopy. You can prune further once the tree has had sufficient time to recover.
- Initially, prune less than planned, just in case you accidentally cut too much. You can always prune more later if needed.
Use garden shears and branch cutters to shape the tree. Household scissors typically make blunt cuts that take longer to heal. You need to use pruning shears for small branches and branch cutters for larger ones. These tools will help you make precise and clean cuts.
- You can purchase pruning tools at most garden centers or nurseries.
- For particularly large or hard-to-reach branches, you can use a garden saw or long-handled branch cutters.
Clean and sharpen your pruning tools. Dull and dirty tools can damage the tree and potentially spread disease. You should disinfect and sharpen your tools regularly to ensure they are in good condition.
Wear protective eyewear and gardening gloves to prevent injuries. Pruning branches can put your eyes and skin at risk. Wear safety glasses to prevent scratches or serious accidents while trimming the tree.
- Wear long-sleeve shirts and pants to protect your skin from abrasions.
- Pruning can take several hours, so it’s a good idea to apply sunscreen to shield your skin from UV rays.
Pruning a vertical Japanese Maple tree
Prune from the bottom up and from the inside out. Start by trimming the lowest branches near the tree's center, and then gradually work your way out to the edges. Continue trimming upwards, always starting from the middle and moving outwards.
Remove any dead or protruding branches. Look for dead or weak branches, as well as those that stick out and disrupt the tree’s shape. Use pruning shears or branch cutters to remove these branches, depending on their size.
- Use pruning shears for smaller branches and branch cutters for larger ones.
- Dead branches are those that don’t produce leaves during warm seasons, remain brittle year-round, and have a grayish color.
Trim excess branches. Trees grow healthiest when they have plenty of space. To reduce overcrowding, use pruning shears to cut away any overlapping branches. Aim for an even trim to give the tree a balanced shape.
- Overlapping branches can rub against each other, damaging the bark and making the leaves vulnerable to pests and disease.
Guide the direction of new shoots. The young shoots of the tree will likely become the main branches later on. Hold the shoots between your fingers and gently bend them in the direction you want them to grow. You can also pinch off any shoots that grow in awkward positions or could cause the tree to become too large in the future.
- Japanese Maple trees have small, red leaves growing from their branches.
Replant the Japanese Maple if it becomes too large. If your Japanese Maple tree grows beyond its allocated space, avoid cutting off the top or over-pruning the side branches. Instead, consider hiring a professional gardener to relocate the tree to a larger area where it can grow freely.
- Avoid attempting to transplant trees with a trunk larger than 5 cm in diameter on your own. Unless the tree is young, it is best to hire a gardener to do the replanting.
Pruning a weeping Japanese Maple tree
Start by pruning the weeping Japanese Maple similarly to a vertical tree. While weeping Japanese Maples require more care, the initial steps are the same as for a vertical tree – remove dead branches and those that overlap, and guide the new shoots to grow in the desired direction.
Separate the branch layers. Weeping Japanese Maples have complex and twisting branches. You can separate these layers by cutting away branches that are higher or lower than the main branches, which may intertwine with others.
- You can also remove crooked branches that disrupt the tree's shape to maintain its aesthetic appeal.
Shape the tree’s canopy for better coverage. The top of the weeping tree should form a protective dome, similar to a seashell. Avoid cutting the top of the tree, and instead focus on shaping the middle and outer edges to preserve the tree's natural form.
Replant the weeping tree if it becomes too large. If the tree outgrows its space, don’t excessively cut back the top or the side branches. Instead, hire a professional gardener to move the tree to a more spacious area.
- Do not attempt to replant a tree with a trunk larger than 5 cm in diameter. Unless your tree is young, you should hire an experienced gardener to transplant it.
Prune the Japanese Maple Bonsai tree
Prune the bonsai tree year-round, but keep it minimal. You can prune the Japanese Maple Bonsai throughout the year, but the tree will take longer to heal. Unless you need to remove dead or diseased branches, it is best to prune only once per season.
- The best time to prune the Japanese Maple Bonsai is during the winter, its dormant season.
Remove any excess shoots. Examine the main branches to find new shoots and leave just 1-2 pairs of leaves per branch. Trim away all unnecessary shoots to maintain healthy, balanced branches.
- Since the Japanese maple bonsai is relatively small, you can remove leaves instead of pruning to avoid damaging the tree.
Apply wound sealant on cut areas. Japanese maple bonsai trees are especially vulnerable to diseases after pruning. It is important to apply a wound sealant on the cuts after trimming. This will help the tree heal faster and protect the wounds from infections or pests.
- Wound sealant can be purchased at most gardening stores and nurseries.
Tip
- Occasionally step back to view the tree while trimming. You will be able to spot areas that need more trimming when looking from a distance.
- Try to maintain the tree's natural shape while trimming. The Japanese maple looks its best and remains healthiest when its natural form is preserved.
