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MostJapanese maplesare easy to grow once they become established and are trained to grow properly.
One of the best ways to keep a Japanese maple healthy is throughpruning.
Why Prune Japanese Maples
Japanesemaplesshould be pruned for health and aesthetics (i.e., its shape).
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Remove any dead, dying or broken branches, then prune for aesthetics with what’s left.
Prune it to establish its shape or to maintain a shape.
Usually this occurs anytime between the first frost and late winter.
However, Japanese maples take extremely well to pruning and can be pruned throughout the year, if needed.
verify to assess it again after it leafs out (i.e., the buds open).
At that point, examine its form and see if there are any dissimilar leaves.
Look at the overall shape of the tree to see if you like it.
Unless you pruned too much, your tree should have not suffered any negative effects.
Cleaning your tools sanitizes them and reduces the risk of spreading pathogens between tools and plants.
Pruning Upright vs. Weeping Japanese Maples
Pruning these two types of Japanese maples is entirely different.
Remove all dissimilar-looking leaves on lower branches.
If you’re starting with a young tree, stake it to achieve an upright habit.
(Once it’s established, remove the stake.)
These are branches growing from the grafting stock.
Establish one, three, or more leaders by removing any extra branches.
Do not leave two leaders, as this can cause splitting.
Continue to prune yearly, allowing the leaders to develop height and lateral branches.
How you prune and shape a Japanese maple depends on its growth habit whether it is weeping or upright.
Weeping trees require not just pruning but also training.
Trees grafted onto rootstock should receive pruning for health and aesthetics, but also to remove suckers.
you’re able to prune Japanese maple in the late fall, early winter, or late winter.
The best time to prune is when the tree is completely dormant.
With this being said, if the tree needs to be pruned at any point, go for it.
Japanese maples generally take to pruning very well.
