Pruning is essential when it comes to Japanese maple trees, otherwise known as acer trees, as it helps maintain the tree’s aesthetic appeal as well as contribute to the tree’s overall health and size.
Pruning not only enhances their natural beauty but also ensures their vitality and longevity in the garden.
Many consider pruning Japanese maples as an art form that requires both skill and a keen eye for detail.
With that in mind, gardening expert Bryan Clayton, CEO and co-founder at GreenPal has shared the best time to prune Japanese maple trees and how they should be pruned for great results.
He said: “Japanese maples. They’re beautiful trees, but boy do they require some finesse when it comes to pruning.”
Before knowing how to prune them, gardeners need to know when to prune acer trees.
Byrayn said: “Timing is key and the best time to get your pruning in is late winter or early spring, right before that new growth starts kicking in.”
He claimed that this time of year “helps the tree heal faster and gets it ready for sprouting those beautiful leaves”.
To prune Japanese maples, the expert argued that it is “all about the bottom-up approach”.
He warned: “Starting from the top down is like trying to build a house by starting with the roof. It just doesn’t make sense.
“You need to see what you’re doing and understand the tree’s structure as you go.”
When you’re selecting limbs to prune out, aim to make your cuts close to the trunk to “encourage healthy growth patterns”.
However, it’s essential to leave about a quarter-inch stub as “cutting too close to the trunk can harm the tree”.
Gardeners also need to look for limbs that are dead, damaged or just don’t fit into the tree’s overall shape.
Bryan compared pruning a Japanese maple tree to a “bad hair cut”. He said: “You want to remove whole limbs or branches to thin the tree and improve its form.
“With the right approach, you can keep your Japanese maple healthy, happy, and looking sharp.”
