Renowned for their beautiful colouring and layered foliage, Japanese maples are extremely popular plants this year, according to an expert. But one mistake gardeners often make is by pruning them incorrectly, which could lead to a total loss of leaves.
Hayden Salt, gardening expert at Jacksons Nurseries, said: “Pruning should be approached with care and restraint. These trees don’t need hard pruning; the goal is to enhance their natural shape. Don’t try to control it. Don’t rush, and when in doubt, don’t cut.”
Timing
Essential maintenance pruning is best done during autumn or winter, when the plant is lying dormant.
Serious shaping is “best avoided” as acers naturally take on their form, according to the pro.
Hayden added: “Early pruning can cause sap bleeding, which can attract pests and weaken the tree.
“We often find early to mid March is best as it allows any winter die-back to be identified and removed.”
The right tools
After you buy a Japanese maple, you will need to care for it, which means investing in the right equipment.
Use sharp secateurs for young shoots and a pruning saw for any thicker branches.
The expert added: “You need to make sure you clean-cut just outside the branch collar, about half a centimetre from the base, to promote healthy healing.”
It’s also important to cut at an angle, too, to avoid disease from water sitting on the branch.
Keep it subtle
The garden expert continued: “I always believe less is more when it comes to the Japanese maple.
“Focus on removing dead or diseased branches or any that disrupt the tree’s natural silhouette, but don’t remove more than 20% of the crown at once.
“Avoid cutting into thick branches unless absolutely necessary. This technique is called shell pruning, removing clutter from the interior, which then allows the elegant framework of the tree to shine.”