Overlapping branches can rub against each other, which chips their bark and leaves them prone to diseases or pests. ", visualize the tree branch angle. I have an old tree at my house that I don't think has ever been really, "This is my first time to have Japanese maple trees but I have always wanted some. ", after reading "How to Prune Chinese Maple Trees". Thanks for an informative write up. I will wait til this winter and prune and shape my two year old trees. WHEN TO TRIM YOUR JAPANESE LACELEAF MAPLE TREE. ", pruned, and looks like a big bush. If you really can’t stand to see another ad again, then please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. ", confident we will have a beautiful tree.". This will allow you to see the whole tree and plan the next cut to preserve and enhance the natural shape of the plant. Step 1 Examine the overall appearance of the Japanese maple tree. 22 September 2020. Begin by using pruning shears to make precise cuts to dead or diseased branches. I'll let you know how it comes out. No. Choose pruning shears for smaller branches and loppers for larger ones. 22 September 2020. Thank you. You can also remove any branches that curve at awkward angles to improve the tree's cosmetic look. It had never been shaped and was growth heavy on, "I have 9 Japanese maples to shape and prune. You can buy cut paste from many garden centers or plant nurseries. The first is to prune off lower limbs that crowd other low-growing shrubs or possibly impede a walkway. You can purchase pruning tools at most garden centers or plant nurseries. Early spring snow in Denver killed the new and now the, "I am definitely a novice and all the advice was informative and helpful to me. How do I tell the difference between Japanese Maples? Whichever type of Japanese maple you have, light trimming under the branches for access is recommended since the branches droop as the plant matures, and weighty limbs can grow too low and even put stress on the rest of the tree. She attended the University of Texas at Austin. We tried, with the help of the nurseryman, to pick the best tree, but there are a couple of branches overlapping, and it looks crowded. "My tree is about five years old and doing great. Now I know when to prune my Japanese maple. For tips from our Horticulture reviewer on how to prune the complex branches of a Laceleaf Maple, read on! They were very helpful to actually, "I was just gifted a lace-leafed Japanese maple, about 6 feet tall. This article was co-authored by Monique Capanelli. [2] X Expert Source Monique Capanelli Plant Specialist Expert Interview. % of people told us that this article helped them. Monique Capanelli is a Plant Specialist and the Owner and Designer for Articulture Designs, an innovative design firm and boutique in Austin, Texas. But after reading this article and seeing the illustrations, I believe I will get my gardener, under my supervision, to cut it back a little. Can you prune a Japanese maple to keep it small? ", sites and your article is, in my opinion, one of the best. We know ads can be annoying, but they’re what allow us to make all of wikiHow available for free. Young trees need to have the lowest limbs removed to enhance clearance. Remove branches that intrude into the layers above and below them. This helps produce an attractive form and silhouette. To keep the form of a weeping Japanese maple tree, you should remove any branches that cross the midline of the tree. 22 September 2020. This article received 62 testimonials and 96% of readers who voted found it helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. The clear direction and drawings are very helpful, and now I know, "Pruning of a maple tree - just moved and have a medium-sized tree which I would like to cut underneath boughs to, "Very simple and clear with the pictures. Remove no more than 30 percent of the tree’s limbs at any one time. Pruning Japanese maples is rarely necessary in mature trees, if they have been trained when young. Some Japanese maples may only grow 6 to 8 feet (1.5 to 2 m.), but others will achieve 40 feet (12 m.) or more. I have no leaves yet the middle of the tree is very dark and the end has a lot of branches which have a very light brown color. Take a look at the tree now… New: Video Reveals a Simple Way to Root Plants from Cuttings (Watch Now!) Both the verbiage and, "This article was very helpful. Japanese maple care and pruning needs are minimal, which makes the tree an excellent choice for most garden needs. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/3\/36\/Prune-Japanese-Maple-Trees-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Prune-Japanese-Maple-Trees-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/3\/36\/Prune-Japanese-Maple-Trees-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/aid2334080-v4-728px-Prune-Japanese-Maple-Trees-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"546","licensing":"