Home » Misc » Can you prune a japanese maple

Can you prune a japanese maple


How to Prune Japanese Maples

June 5, 2019 Jill Raver

It is easy to fall in love with Japanese Maples. With a wide array of choices that please the eye, Japanese Maples are hard to beat. They offer exciting colors, textures, shapes, and sizes for the landscape. Because we treasure our Japanese Maples we want to give them the best care. “How to Prune Japanese Maples?” is the most common question asked about the care of Japanese Maples. In this article we will answer this question for you. Browse our selection of Japanese Maples Trees online.

First off pruning Japanese Maples isn’t often necessary and frankly it can affect the natural beauty of your growing tree. Since Japanese Maples are all uniquely different and grow in their own distinctive way you want to prune them as little as possible so you can fully appreciate each Japanese Maple tree’s individual beauty. This being said it is your tree and you can certainly tweak it to your desired look with some thoughtful and careful pruning.

When to Prune Your Japanese Maple

If it is a just a snip or 2 go ahead and prune anytime. For heavier pruning, trim your Japanese Maple in summer or winter. Winter is the best time for modifying the branch structure while summer is best for thinning out the branches of your tree. If your tree is in full sun, especially in warm and southern climates, avoid pruning in temperatures over 80 degrees Fahrenheit. So, yeah, basically those of us in the carolinas or deeper south, stick with the winter months if you have a Japanese Maple in full or strong afternoon sun! The thin bark, that is no longer shaded after your thinning cuts, is susceptible to sunscald.

What To Prune On Your Japanese Maple

The purpose of pruning should be to encourage your tree’s natural growth habit. There are 5 types of branches you want to consider removing from your Japanese Maple.

1. Broken, dead, or diseased branches. These all have to go for obvious reasons. Prune them when you see them.

2. Branches growing inward or in the wrong direction. I personally like rogue branches growing in the wrong direction. They can be fun. So if you like them too leave them alone; they won’t actually harm your Japanese Maple tree. But branches growing inward can cause a lot of problems so get rid of those.

3. Crossing branches result in rubbing and damage to bark and even the branches. This can encourage disease and pests. Trim off one of the branches.

4. Narrow crotches are when 2 branches meet on an angle less than 45 degrees. Remove one of the branches to open up your tree and reduce the possibility of breakage that can tear large patches of bark and cause other problems.

5. Crowded branches. When you have a crowded portion of the crown or the whole crown is dense with branches and foliage, you will want to thin out the branches to open up the crown. This will increase air flow and help your tree be healthier. Thin by removing 1 out of every 4 branches or so. Create a layered cascading look that matches up with the tree’s natural look.

How to Prune Your Japanese Maple

Use pruning shears or loppers for your pruning cuts. When removing an entire branch, prune back to the branch collar but not into it. Basically there shouldn’t be much of the branch left but you should never cut flush to the connecting branch or trunk. Be sure to use clean, professional pruners for best results.

Pruning No-Nos

Filed in: Japanese Maples, Maintenance, Tree Information

Previous article Dwarf Magnolia Trees

Trimming Japanese Maple Trees | Top 5 Tips for Pruning Japanese Maples

Skip to content

Japanese Maples

Japanese Maples, also known as Lace Leaf, are some of the most attractive and valuable trees in any garden, so if you are lucky enough to have one on your property, you want to treat it right. When the leaves fall off and the subtle shape of a Japanese maple’s trunk is revealed during the winter months, it can be tempting to get the clippers out and get to work. These trees are among the most difficult and complicated to prune. It takes the skill and talent of a Portland, OR tree pruning service to work with these trees and to shape, define, and encourage their inherently beautiful nature. That’s why we recommend leaving such fine tree care to professional Portland arborists.

It has been said that pruning is a science and an art. Pruning is a science because it involves knowledge of plant biology and botany. It is an art because it involves understanding aesthetic beauty. An arborist or horticulturist must understand both aspects in order to be successful with the job at hand. Pruning Japanese maples are no exception. Due to the complex nature of their branching patterns, and their position of great value in the landscape, Japanese maples require expert pruning from the best experienced Portland, Oregon arborists. In this post, our leading arborists discuss why and when to prune Japanese maples. We also explore some of the nuances of aesthetic pruning that are necessary to properly care for these elegant trees.

Why Prune Japanese Maples?

There are several reasons to prune. The primary reasons are related to the health of the tree, while aesthetics also play a big part.

When to Prune Japanese Maple Trees

The best time to trim most ornamental and fruit trees is during the winter months while they are dormant. For Japanese maples, it is recommended to do structural pruning in the winter and wait until late spring, after the leaves come out, for fine pruning. Summer can also be a good time for removing larger branches and for removing dead, damaged, or diseased wood.

Aesthetic Pruning

Know the tree. Spend some time getting to know its structure. What branches need to be pruned? Which branch is the leader or apex branch? Are there competing or crossing branches? What about the overall health of the tree? What is the desired form of the tree? These questions need to be answered in order for your landscape to look its best. Trimming takes time and it will not look good half done. Rather than making a mistake that threatens the life of your Japanese maple, contact our Portland tree pruning service for ongoing expertise and support.

Tips for Trimming Japanese Maple Trees From A Leading Arborist

If you’re planning to prune a Japanese maple yourself, follow these guidelines for best results:

  1. Prune to remove dead branches mostly on the interior.
  2. Avoid trying to majorly reshape. This will leave unsightly holes in the canopy.
  3. Avoid shearing. This will create growth inconsistent with the flowing, drooping branches.
  4. Use clean cuts back to lateral branches or buds.
  5. Disinfect your tools after each tree to prevent the spread of disease.

Our #1 Tip for Pruning Japanese maples: Call Us. It takes years of experience to learn how to do a good job trimming a Japanese maple. Extensive training in proper techniques is necessary. In addition to pruning skills, there are other key variables to consider, such as having the proper tools and avoiding the spread of disease and pathogens. Finally, it takes a fair amount of time to do the job right. Call our Portland arborists, your best tree service solution in Oregon, today for the health of your Japanese maples.

Contact Your Top-Rated Pruning Experts In Portland Today

If you have questions about your Japanese maple, please contact the tree experts near you at Urban Forest Pro by phone at 503-479-5921 or fill out our online contact form and we’ll get back to you.

How to prune Japanese maple | Horticulture

The Japanese maple is a popular tree and shrub in gardens. Its leaves give that oriental touch that we love so much, and besides, they do not need much care, although it is true that when the climate is warmer than necessary, it becomes a demanding plant.

But even in this case, it is impossible to provide him with the best care in conditions. One is pruning, but When and how to prune Japanese maple? nine0008

Index

  • 1 When is the Japanese maple pruned?
  • 2 How to prune a Japanese maple?
    • 2. 1 Pruning a Japanese maple grown as a tree or shrub
    • 2.2 Pruning a Japanese maple bonsai
      • 2.2.1 Step by step

When is the Japanese maple pruned?

Image - Wikimedia / Rüdiger Wölk

El Japanese maple This is a plant of a temperate mountain climate. It lives in areas with mild summers and very cold winters that cover the landscape with snow. Under these conditions, the tree grows in spring and summer, and in autumn and winter it enters a dormant state. nine0003

For this reason, pruning time is late winter , when the buds are about to wake up (that is, increase in size, "swell"). In this way, the wounds we make will heal quickly, because as the plant resumes its growth, the juice will circulate through its branches somewhat faster.

Subscribe to our Youtube channel

How to prune a Japanese maple?

To prune a Japanese maple, you must first know that the plant in question must be healthy or at least strong enough to withstand such pruning. You have to think that with every cut we make, the Japanese maple will expend energy to close this wound, and if we can make an already weak wound, we run the risk that it will not overcome it. nine0003

In addition to , it is important to use the correct cutting tools , and that we clean them with water and dish soap before and after use. Here they are:

  • Household scissors (for example, kitchen) for green branches with a thickness of 0.5 cm or less. Buy them here.
  • Anvil shears for green branches approx. 1 cm thick. On sale here.
  • hand saw for wood from 2 cm thick. You can buy them from the link. nine0014

Pruning Japanese maple grown as a tree or shrub

Pruning Japanese maple is a lot easier than you think. Follow these steps to get a very bushy plant with lush foliage:

  1. Remove any dead branches, that is, those with no trace of buds left.
  2. Decide what shape you want your maple to be: if you prefer it to grow as a tall tree, remove the low branches by clearing its trunk; On the other hand, if you prefer it to grow more like a shrub, it is necessary to reduce the height of the guide or main branch by 5 cm to force it to remove the lower branches. Over time and as it grows, you will only need to select branches that will be part of your maple design. nine0014
  3. Finally, all that's left is to add the leftover trimmings to the compost heap.

Remember to disinfect your scissors or saw with a few drops of pharmaceutical alcohol before and after handling the plant. This way you make sure that it cannot be attacked by mushrooms or other intruders.

Japanese Maple Bonsai Pruning

Image - Wikimedia/Cliff of Arlington, Virginia, USA

If you have a Japanese Maple Bonsai, then you should know that the purpose of pruning is to maintain a certain style. So the first thing you need to do is decide what shape you want it to be. nine0003

It is best to look at the trunk, see what shape it has and how the branches are distributed. It is always much easier to treat a tree as a bonsai, respecting its development. than trying to change it.

Once you've chosen a style, you just have to go for the trim to give it it. But you must keep in mind that for it to be considered a true bonsai, several years must pass during which it must be cared for and pruned to maturity.

This is why a newly established cutting or seedling is not considered a bonsai, even if grown in a bonsai tray. Maybe, of course, but only if, as we said, pruning works for years.

Article subject:

What is bonsai and what is not?

Step by Step

The following general steps are: :

  1. In winter, cross branches and any that look sick or broken should be removed. If you have suckers - buds growing from the base of the trunk, they should also be removed. nine0014
  2. Branches must be pruned throughout the year. This is done for two purposes: first, to give it style; and two to expand. To do this, you need to grow four to six pairs of leaves and remove 2-3 pairs.
  3. Finally, you need to apply a healing paste to the wounds to help them heal better.

Image - Wikimedia / Joe Mabel

Japanese maples, scientific name palmate maple , are deciduous trees native to East Asia. nine0007 Has a fairly high growth rate under suitable growing conditions. , and its decorative value is known to be very high.

Its beautiful palmate leaves, ranging from green to red to orange, make a spectacular home decoration. Lovers of acidic soil and water are advised to keep them in a partially shaded area. to avoid damage, especially if you live in a very hot climate.

Feather to keep them healthy, it is recommended to trim them , so we hope you found this article helpful.


The content of the article complies with our principles of editorial ethics. To report a bug, click here.

How to prune Japanese maple | Horticulture

The Japanese maple is a popular tree and shrub in gardens. Its leaves give that oriental touch that we love so much, and besides, they do not need much care, although it is true that when the climate is warmer than necessary, it becomes a demanding plant. nine0003

But even in this case, it is impossible to provide him with the best possible care in conditions. One is pruning, but When and how to prune Japanese maple?

Index

When is the Japanese maple pruned? nine0029

Image - Wikimedia / Rüdiger Wölk

El Japanese maple This is a plant of a temperate mountain climate. It lives in areas with mild summers and very cold winters that cover the landscape with snow. Under these conditions, the tree grows in spring and summer, and in autumn and winter it enters a dormant state.

For this reason, pruning time is late winter , when the buds are about to wake up (that is, increase in size, "swell"). In this way, the wounds we make will heal quickly, because as the plant resumes its growth, the juice will circulate through its branches somewhat faster. nine0003

Subscribe to our Youtube channel

How to prune a Japanese maple?

To prune a Japanese maple, you must first know that the plant in question must be healthy or at least strong enough to withstand such pruning. You have to think that with every cut we make, the Japanese maple will expend energy to close this wound, and if we can make an already weak wound, we run the risk that it will not overcome it.

In addition, it is important to use the correct cutting tools and that we clean them with water and dish soap before and after use. Here they are:

Pruning Japanese maple grown as a tree or shrub

Pruning Japanese maple is a lot easier than you think. Follow these steps to get a very bushy plant with lush foliage:

  1. Remove any dead branches, that is, those with no trace of buds left.
  2. Decide what shape you want your maple to be: if you prefer it to grow as a tall tree, remove the low branches by clearing its trunk; On the other hand, if you prefer it to grow more like a shrub, it is necessary to reduce the height of the guide or main branch by 5 cm to force it to remove the lower branches. Over time and as it grows, you will only need to select branches that will be part of your maple design. nine0014
  3. Finally, all that's left is to add the leftover trimmings to the compost heap.

Remember to disinfect your scissors or saw with a few drops of pharmaceutical alcohol before and after handling the plant. This way you make sure that it cannot be attacked by mushrooms or other intruders.

Japanese Maple Bonsai Pruning

Image - Wikimedia/Cliff of Arlington, Virginia, USA

If you have a Japanese Maple Bonsai, then you should know that the purpose of pruning is to maintain a certain style. So the first thing you need to do is decide what shape you want it to be. nine0003

It is best to look at the trunk, see what shape it has and how the branches are distributed. It is always much easier to treat a tree as a bonsai, respecting its development. than trying to change it.

Once you've chosen a style, you just have to go for the trim to give it it. But you must keep in mind that for it to be considered a true bonsai, several years must pass during which it must be cared for and pruned to maturity.

This is why a newly established cutting or seedling is not considered a bonsai, even if grown in a bonsai tray. Maybe, of course, but only if, as we said, pruning works for years.

Article subject:

What is bonsai and what is not?

Step by Step

The following general steps are: :

  1. In winter, cross branches and any that look sick or broken should be removed. If you have suckers - buds growing from the base of the trunk, they should also be removed. nine0014
  2. Branches must be pruned throughout the year. This is done for two purposes: first, to give it style; and two to expand. To do this, you need to grow four to six pairs of leaves and remove 2-3 pairs.
  3. Finally, you need to apply a healing paste to the wounds to help them heal better.

Image - Wikimedia / Joe Mabel

Japanese maples, scientific name palmate maple , are deciduous trees native to East Asia. nine0007 Has a fairly high growth rate under suitable growing conditions.

Learn more