Some gardeners don’t like pruning this species at all, but this will result in too much foliage. So now let’s assume that you have a fairly mature weeping Japanese maple in your yard that really hasn’t been pruned, or hasn’t been pruned properly. We choose and plant this tree because we’ve seen its delicate form, graceful elegance, and the character of its branches enhancing many established landscapes. Heavy sap flow can lead to disease invasion and weakening of the tree. I recommend pruning maples between mid-July and August, a period when sap won’t run from cuts. As a maple tree, the Japanese Laceleaf will bleed or ooze sap. These limbs provide the closest source of food energy for root development. dissectum).We might perceive it as fragile and delicate, and we’re afraid to mess up its natural beauty through improper pruning. I have had frequent questions on pruning techniques and optimal pruning times of year for the Japanese Laceleaf Maple, and thought I would briefly list some info that could be helpful. Pruning Japanese Maples by Michelle Le Strange, UC Master Gardener One of the most favorite trees in the home landscape is the lovely Japanese Maple (Acer palmatum). If heavy sap flow occurs, pruning should be delayed until it stops or wait until midsummer. Laceleaf Japanese maples are slightly more complicated than their upright cousins. They also need partial to full sun. Tips for Pruning Your Japanese Laceleaf Maple Tree. Pruning the Laceleaf Japanese Maple tree is a bit more complicated than pruning the uprights. Fall and winter are a common time to prune and shape most deciduous trees and shrubs, but not the Japanese Laceleaf! Both types have a natural and harmonized flow with intricate branch growing patterns. If heavy sap flow occurs, pruning should be delayed until it stops or wait until midsummer. The two main types are lace leaf and upright. Japanese laceleaf maple trees prefer rich, well-drained acidic soil, plenty of moisture, and minimal fertilizer and pruning. Remove any shoots growing from the base of the plant whose leaves look different from the rest of the plant. Look for leaves or branches that look like they just don’t belong. If you have a laceleaf Japanese maple (or a weeping Japanese maple), then its branches won’t only grow upward. Pruning a Japanese maple tree is not necessarily difficult, but may be intimidating at first — particularly for a weeping or “laceleaf” cultivar (Acer palmatum Var. Every tree has a geometric shape and a direction or pattern in which the branches flow. It’s time to thin your Japanese laceleaf maple tree — just don’t go crazy with the pruning shears Originally published January 10, 2018 at 7:00 am Updated January 11, 2018 at 10:09 am Laceleaf trees have a weeping structure and lacy-appearing leaves while the upright trees grow mostly straight up and have more solid leaves. They are a popular ornamental tree in the Pacific Northwest. A thorough pruning involves removing dead limbs and crossing branches (or branches that will cross in the future). Now here are my specific tips for pruning a laceleaf Japanese maple: When I approach a laceleaf maple (or any tree or shrub that I’m about to prune), I first walk around the tree to study its branches, silhouette and overall shape and structure. It is native to Japan, Korea and China. Prune away deadwood and overlapping branches while directing any buds you see in the right direction. Give newly planted trees and shrubs only minimal pruning. It is commonly known as weeping Japanese maple tree or laceleaf Japanese maple. Pruning a Mature Lace Leaf Weeping Japanese Maple. They’ll also grow downwards and to the sides. When maples are pruned in late winter or early spring the wounds can be more damaging. Although laceleaf maples need some additional care, the beginning steps are the same as upright maples. If left to grow, this shoot will take over and out-compete the main tree. Because the bones of this tree are important to its overall beauty, you’ll want to keep many of … I have also found that trees will form a stronger trunk if the lower branches are not trimmed for a few years. 1. Gardeners belonging to the second group tend to prune too much and end up with very little. Wanted! Some gardeners don’t like pruning this species at all, but this will result in too much foliage. Terms of Service. The first camp refuses to prune the trees at all, resulting in a great ball of foliage. On the other hand, some gardeners are fond of pruning too much, which will result in very little foliage. With young trees, leave some of the lower limbs and sprouts even though they will be removed later. A certain number of branch tips will have died back and these tips can be snapped off with your fingers, or larger branches can be cut with a pruning tool. Laceleaf-maple pruning is often called “shell pruning” because, when done correctly, the top layer of branches forms a protective veil of foliage over the plant that resembles a shell. Japanese maples crave sunlight on all of their parts, which is an excellent key to pruning. This is not only unattractive but opens the tree to opportunistic disease pathogens, as well. After planting, prune out broken branches and those with weak or narrow crotches. Occasionally it is also referenced as cutleaf Japanese maple or threadleaf Japanese maple. THE DISSECTED JAPANESE MAPLE: This type of Japanese maple should not be left unattended. The trick to pruning this type of Japanese maple is to allow its top layer to form a sort of canopy over the entire tree. People Who Would Like to Get Paid for Growing, http://mikesbackyardnursery.com/2015/11/moving-a-large-laceleaf-weeping-japanese-maple-tree/, https://mikesbackyardnursery.com/2020/01/why-is-one-side-of-my-japanese-maple-or-just-one-large-branch-completely-dead/, 5 Design Tips–Pruning Small Trees | Real Life Garden Solutions. Examine the tree. Many maples are grafted onto an understock that in most cases will be more vigorous than the grafted scion. Japanese maple trees come in two major types: laceleaf and upright maple trees. Your email address will not be published. Pruning the Laceleaf Japanese Maple tree is a bit more complicated than pruning the uprights. Gardeners often fall into two camps with these trees. They will outgrow their good health, becoming so dense that interior growth begins to die. On the other hand, some gardeners are fond of pruning too much, which will result in very little foliage. Lace-leaf weeping Japanese red maple trees (Acer palmatum dissectum) are native to China, Korea and Japan, and are grown in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 5 through 9. When maples are pruned in late winter or early spring the wounds can be more damaging. The trees should not be pruned during early spring when buds are breaking, during leaf expansion, or in late autumn because the wounds won’t have enough time to heal before winter conditions of freezing or dampness. Heavy sap flow can lead to disease invasion and weakening of the tree. As a maple tree, the Japanese Laceleaf will bleed or ooze sap. Removing too much top affects the production of food energy (carbohydrates) and can result in poor root development. The weeping Japanese Maple is a beautiful tree with its low arching branches reaching to the ground. 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