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When should i prune my 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

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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?

Index

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.

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.

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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 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:

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.
  3. Finally, all that's left is to add the leftover trimmings to the compost heap.

Don't forget to disinfect your scissors or saw with a few drops of pharmacy 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.

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.
  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. 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.


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How to properly care for Japanese maple?

Japanese ornamental maples are colorful, unique plants that play the role of bright accents, drawing attention to important details of an elegant garden, adding zest to any composition and turning the garden into an unforgettable world of shapes and colors. Stately shrubs with large dissected leaves of red color attract the eyes of passers-by from afar, especially if they grow along the edges of a pond, in a front garden or in a Japanese garden. No matter where the maple grows, it will always be a solitary plant with its own personal merits. And in autumn, almost all maples repeatedly show us a colorful event - fiery red and orange flashes light up everywhere. This is impossible to forget! The green-leaved varieties acquire the most impressive coloration.

Nursery manager Christian Nielsen in Soltau, Germany, considers growing ornamental maple in his garden like gambling, because all types of maple are extremely susceptible to fungal diseases that can lead to the death of plants . In some gardens, such a fungus-causative agent lurks, in others it does not. It may appear at any time - today, tomorrow - or it may not appear at all. It cannot be recognized (other than to perform a difficult test), and cannot be completely eliminated.

Therefore, in some gardens decorative maples grow remarkably and for many years, in others they suddenly disappear. Lottery, gambling, a matter of chance - all this can be called differently, but it's worth it. It is better to enjoy every time the amazing sight that the Japanese decorative maple gives us in the garden, and always remember that happiness is not endless, tomorrow may not be, just as there may not be the next moment.

Japanese maples in the tree nursery Soltau

Why decorative maple?

Two big, aesthetic arguments speak in favor of this plant - it's foliage and form of growth. All types of maple have very beautiful, carved leaves, resembling a palm with spread fingers. The largest group is formed by palm-shaped or fan maples (Acer palmatum). The plant itself acquired the name because of the characteristic shape of the leaf plate, which resembles an open fan or palm (palma - translated from Latin means “palm”). In some varieties, the fan-shaped leaves can be deeply dissected, which gives the plant an openwork appearance. Thanks to such foliage, all representatives of this group, when viewed from a close distance, look quite exotic, picturesque and bewitching.

Maples also stand out spectacularly from afar with their attire, especially if you choose varieties with colorful foliage. First of all, decorative maples with red leaves are very popular. In most cases, the foliage is more of a black-red color, however, its color is much brighter and more unusual than other red-leaved shrubs.

Maple trees with green-yellow foliage or the newer varieties in orange and pink shades also give a strong effect. Such trees are visible from afar and are sure to attract attention. Christian Nielsen recommends using the slow-growing Shirasawa maple 'Aureum', which is quite widespread in Central Europe, to decorate the garden. Its decoratively corrugated foliage has delicate spring shades: young leaves, painted yellow, eventually acquire an elegant red edging, in autumn all leaves turn bright orange.

The popularity of maples is not only due to their beautiful foliage, but also to their often picturesque, more or less irregular growth patterns, reminiscent of bonsai. Each shrub is an individual. Therefore, such a maple should be allocated a separate, prominent place so that it can freely spread out in different directions, and we, in turn, can admire it from all sides.

Which variety to choose?

The variety of types and varieties of maple allows you to choose the right tree for any garden. The first and most important difference between some varieties from others is the color of the leaves. There are maples with red and green foliage. Every year there are more and more varieties of yellow, orange and pink color. Choosing a red-leaf or green-leaf variety depends on what time of the year you want to achieve the maximum effect. So, if you want your garden to play with golden yellow and crimson tints in the fall, choose the green-leaved varieties that are familiar to us, because it is the green leaves that change color best.

This variety can reach up to 5 m in height.

True, the elegant autumn color of maples is only a temporary, short pleasure. A long-lasting visual effect is given to us, of course, by red-leaved varieties that retain their color throughout the summer period.

In addition to the unusual summer and autumn coloration, the appearance of leaves in the spring can also be attributed to the features of some varieties. So, the typical color of the leaves during blooming is especially saturated, over time it fades, darkens or turns green.

Maples also differ from each other in the shape of the leaves, which are palmately lobed, split, dissected, as well as deeply dissected and openwork. Here, for creative people with a fine mental organization, the widest field of activity opens up.

In addition to the color and shape of the leaves, an important criterion when choosing a maple variety is the growth form and proximity to other plants. For any garden size and any distance from the house, you can choose a tree of the appropriate height. The range of species is quite wide: from dwarf, reaching up to 1 meter in height, undersized 3-4 meters high, to tall shrubs (up to 5 m) and 8-15 meter trees.

In any case, initially you need to determine the height of the plant, as well as the shape of its crown, which can be columnar, compact, vertical or spreading. The combination of several different forms of maples looks very beautiful, which harmoniously combine into a single whole of elegance and individuality.

As for the neighborhood with other plants, you need to be a little more careful. Graceful maples do not fit into the landscape of a wild garden, from where they can be crowded out by large, native shrubs. Japanese maples are a breath of exoticism and elegance, so neighboring plants should have the same effect. In order to preserve the solitary, freedom-loving character of the maple, low-growing perennials and, first of all, grasses are planted around it. Such a composition is especially spectacular at the peak of beauty, which falls at the end of summer - the beginning of autumn, when cereals begin to bloom, and maples put on a majestic autumn outfit.

You can completely abandon the neighborhood with other plants and instead create a harmonious tandem of maple with the water surface of the pond. Such a landscape composition in the spirit of English gardens (for example, the classic Stourhead garden) creates the effect of reflection in a water mirror, which gives the composition the illusion of naturalness. In the same way, all Japanese maples are beautifully combined with stones in any form - be it a boulder, a wall or a gravel path along the pond. It looks especially impressive in contrast with the traced openwork crown of maples.

Easy care!

An important argument that speaks in favor of Japanese decorative maples is their undemanding maintenance. Slow-growing Japanese maples require little to no pruning, but as a form of crown formation, pruning is used to limit the tree's growth, thin out the crown, or accentuate the plant's exquisite form.

Many proven and popular varieties have good winter hardiness. Newly planted and young trees need winter protection. As they age, they become stronger and more resilient. Otherwise, there are no difficulties in care. It is recommended to apply moderate amounts of fertilizer, but this is not necessary.

Of course, all this implies that the planting site for the respective variety is chosen correctly and successfully. In this case, be sure to take into account the final height of the tree, so that in the future you do not have to constantly and ruthlessly restrain growth with the help of formative pruning.

Also pay attention to the requirements of the place of growth: in any case, the maple needs well-prepared, loose and permeable soil. Japanese ornamental maples do not tolerate prolonged stagnant water, drought or extreme heat. They need a cool and humid environment with protection from the winds and the scorching sun. Therefore, the ideal place for decorative maple will be a light, openwork shade of taller trees, which will cover it from the scorching lunchtime and bright evening sun. Different varieties react differently to open sun. However, for all maples, the same rule sounds - the more sun the plant receives, the more water it needs. But there is no exception to the rule: there are maple varieties that have adapted well to the open sun and crosswinds. Therefore, Christian Nielsen advises, when buying a maple variety you like, ask a specialist about its endurance. And then - experience!

Since the range of varieties is quite large and constantly expanding, Christian Nielsen recommends that beginners pay attention to proven varieties. These include: Japanese aconite maple (Acer japonicum 'Aconitifolium'), some varieties of palmate maple (Acer palmatum), such as 'Atropurpureum', 'Bloodgood', 'Dissectum', 'Dissectum Garnet' and 'Osakazuki', as well as maple Shirasawa 'Aureum' (Acer shirasawanum 'Aureum').

Professionals often eschew drastic pruning of ornamental maples on principle, and there are many reasons for this. Firstly, in slow-growing trees on old wood, shoots grow very poorly or do not appear at all. Therefore, radical pruning is not good for decorative maple. Secondly, by performing shaping or radical pruning, you are taking away the most valuable thing from the maple - its wayward and, perhaps, strange form of growth. And most importantly, the places of cuts in this plant are open wounds, the gates for a fungal infection. It should be said that the fungal diseases of maples are the "Sword of Damocles", which one has to deal with every pruning to a greater or lesser extent.

This is why Christian Nielsen recommends light shaping or cosmetic pruning rather than radical pruning, shortening the shoots of the previous year or the year before. Thanks to this pruning, the plant quickly recovers and gains strength.

Ornamental maples are best pruned in early May when the plant is active. At this time, the maples “cry” - juice actively flows through the branches and trunks, which contributes to the healing of wounds and injuries, as well as the normal development of early wood.

This is what maple looks like after pruning last year's shoots

It should be noted that heavy pruning of maple should not be carried out unnecessarily, as it does not react very well to this. But if such a procedure is unavoidable, then it is performed with an instrument pre-treated with alcohol. The cut sites are immediately treated with a fungicidal preparation. However, the risk of infection should not be ruled out.

In this case, light shaping pruning of maple is carried out if the plant is consciously compacted or if it is desired to correct irregularities and give the crown the desired shape.

Shortening of young shoots of the previous year causes increased branching of the shrub. At least two new shoots appear on the cut branches on the right and left. Sometimes new shoots appear along the entire length of the cut branch, due to which the shrub becomes lush and thick.

Christian Nielsen emphasizes that this pruning is not necessary and is done only to create the maximum decorative effect. A free-growing maple that forms a crown without human intervention is at the discretion and aesthetic sense of the gardener.

Fungal diseases

Japanese maples are susceptible to fungal diseases caused by fungi that infect plants through cuts and roots. Soil pathogenic fungi are a real nightmare for a gardener. They are extremely difficult to recognize and exterminate.

One such fungus is Verticillium, which lives in the soil and takes part in the natural decomposition of dead plants. However, it enters the plant through damage to the roots, in which case it becomes a pest. In addition to Japanese ornamental maples, catalpa and skumpia are especially susceptible to its attack. On young shoots, the leaves begin to wrinkle, then dry up and eventually the branches die off. This disease is called verticillium wilt. In this case, it is recommended to cut off all affected branches and shoots to healthy wood, cover the cut points with garden pitch or other suitable means.

The course of verticillium wilt is little predictable and difficult to predict. In many cases, the plant simply dies in a short time. Saving pruning to healthy wood can only delay the death of the shrub, but at the same time spoils its decorative appearance.

Despite the fact that Verticillium is extremely difficult to control, you should not refuse to grow decorative forms of Japanese maple. These picturesque shrubs do well in pots and tubs, for which it is recommended to use a special purchased substrate, and not soil from your own garden.

That is why Christian Nielsen calls the cultivation of Japanese maples a lottery or gambling. How many times he enviously looked at the magnificent mature bushes and trees of the red maple, but in his garden, soon after planting, first the red skumpia, and then the red-leaved maple, died.

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