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). He tries not to take himself too seriously but has been known to 'geek out' on occasion. ©2013BDG. If you want a wider plant, then prune at a point where a branch is pointing outwards in the direction you want to expand. Opening the branching has also revealed an intricate and curving branching pattern. Japanese maple… After the dead and crossing branches are gone it is time to start looking at the major structural branches. We choose and plant this tree … Pruning the maple several times a year is a great way to keep the maple in good health and looking elegant. August 30, 2018 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. Sorry about the US measurements, I am sure there are similar standards in AUS. A dwarf Japanese maple tree (Acer palmatum) adds a focal point to landscaping if it receives correct care and maintenance. Being from the northern hemisphere, I think that late winter is right about now for you guys. Prune weeping trees in the winter, before spring growing begins. Everyone – and everything – benefits from a flattering haircut to show off their best features. The weeping Japanese Maple … Like most shrubs, they need to be pruned for aesthetic and functional purposes. dissectum is a small ornamental tree with a dissected-leaf. The largest branches form a type of umbrella and they tend to flow out and down, and often branches form that go across this structure and they need to be pruned out. I wrote to you about pruning a very unruly Japanese Maple. Always start at the top of the plant and make a couple of bigger cuts rather than making lots of smaller cuts. I used to have a tree trimming and landscaping service in Sacramento CA., yrs, ago, … Sprinkle the root zone with 1 to 2 cups of slow-release 10-10-10 fertilizer in the spring right as new … How to Care for a Dwarf Japanese Maple Tree. If its been in the ground for a while then you want to take the largest root ball you can manage. Next, I look for branches that are going ‘against the grain’ or crossing the major flowing branches of the tree. It was originally planted by a landscaper, who really didn’t know much about the tree, I suppose. Let’s break them into two categories, upright or dissected and weeping. In the US we have standards for root ball size based upon the caliper(diameter of trunk 4 inches above grade) of the tree. This maple lost its left side in heavy snow 5 years ago. Cut Intertwining Branches. I searched for pruning a canopy Japanese Maple… a few yrs back, Macon means aka Maple. A 1inch caliper tree should have a root ball 16inches in diameter and a 2inch caliper tree should have a root ball of 24″. I hear some people say that they don’t like weeping Japanese maples (Acer palmatum ‘Dissectum’ and other cultivars) and my heart breaks. Here is the maple after pruning. The first step in pruning to restrict the size of the green … Those will be trimmed off. I need to ask how and when to move my little beauty from its birthplace to a holding pot and then what to do to ensure its health and longevity when removed then replanted to our new home far away. Also, I am encouraging a few upward branches to increase the height. Just keep it lightly moist during travel. You will note the stems and limbs coming up from the base of this Japanese Maple obscures a true trunk area. Reed, and his company Barking Dog Gardens, can be found at. 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… Prune to Define the Japanese Maple Trunk . Pruning the Laceleaf Japanese Maple tree is a bit more complicated than pruning the uprights. Japanese maples—especially weeping varieties—are vulnerable to breakage from heavy snow loads, so shake or brush the trees off regularly throughout winter. It seems to me that the tree mentioned above is what I have. Ice-covered branches, … What a beauty. Some gardeners don’t like pruning this species at all, but this will result in too much foliage. When Japanese maples are small, it is absolutely essential that they be pruned … With it open all the branching will strengthen and the natural layers have been highlighted. It is commonly known as weeping Japanese maple tree or laceleaf Japanese maple.Occasionally it is also referenced as cutleaf Japanese maple or threadleaf Japanese maple.It is native to Japan, Korea and China. Exactly what you prune out of your Japanese maple will depend upon the variety of tree you have. On the other hand, some gardeners are fond of pruning … Your next concern should be branches that intertwine or cross since they … The form and branching is what makes this plant so desirable throughout the year. It often means removing branches to accentuate a curve or decrease the congestion of multiple branching. Japanese maple care and pruning … Others argue that pruning a Japanese maple should occur in late fall or early winter, after all the leaves have fallen and when the tree is in its dormant period. People ask about trimming or pruning Japanese maples fairly often and the short answer is yes, you should prune your Japanese maples. When pruning a Japanese maple, cut up to—but not into—the branch collar. Homeowners … Your upright is usually larger and … The idea at the top of the umbrella is to develop a strong and interesting form to support the rest of the plant. Maple trees are known for their brilliant fall color as well as the ease with which they bleed sap. The species tendency to lose sap from wounds makes gardeners question the wisdom of pruning maple trees. Sometimes you might just make a few cuts and wait until next year to see how the tree responds. japanese maple recommendations weeping dwarf japanese maples acer palmatum dissectum 'inaba shidare' spring color: red to maroon fall color: bright red 10 year size: 5 ft x 6ft click here for more info … Japanese maples can handle anything from a light trim to more extensive pruning, … The congestion of multiple branching has been known to 'geek out ' on occasion to! Branches, … I has the most beautiful little 4 ft. Japanese maple trees to make the cuts to! 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