Highly neglected (but healthy) Japanese Maple. Pruning advice?
Vinny
8 years ago
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gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
8 years agolast modified: 8 years agoRelated Discussions
Pruning Japanese Maples
Comments (8)I would also add that pruning to maintain a desired height is not recommended for various reasons. As stated by a very well-known, well-published local pruning authority: "Another practice to avoid is attempting to restrict the height of a Japanese maple. It wonÂt work. The tree will simply grow faster with thin, unruly branches. The width of these trees, on the other hand, can be somewhat modified." And you can always prune in summer, which is the preferred time for many growers. Less growth is encouraged by summer pruning so one can safely remove a larger amount of material without worry. However, with Japanese maples, a lighter touch is far more preferrable than a heavy pruning hand....See MoreJapanese Maple Pruning Question
Comments (7)I agree, the reduction should be fine as long as the root system is large enough and the tree appears to be in good health (has not had any pest problems etc.. recently). I would recommend buying some tree wound sealant, or at the least using some Vaseline to cover the wound. Open wounds (especially larger ones) can cause an opening for fungus and insects to harbor in the tree regardless of season or location. Also as mafle stated make sure the pruning utensil is sterilized properly. Rubbing down the knife/cutter with alcohol prior to making the cut should work fine (for the same reason a doctor would sterilize a tool between patients). If you would be interested you might want to look into how to do an air-layering as well. You could end up with an extra tree. Its fairly easy for beginners to accomplish and no specialized tools are involved( If you were to do so you would do it in the spring after the tree grows in its new leaves). If worse comes to worse and it doesn't work out and the branch does not root no big deal, you were going to remove the limb anyways. This is of coarse assuming the limb isn't massive. Just a thought. -Mike...See MoreJapanese maple - complex pruning issue - help!
Comments (29)jmg1717, the ultimate choice to prune or not to prune is yours :-) Your post has garnered a number of differing opinions, including several from folks extremely familiar with growing these trees and their particular habits. With Japanese maples. most pruning decisions are going to be personal - there are simply no hard and fast rules about their pruning and all decisions should be made on a case by case basis. You seem to be assigning a lot of weight to the opinion of your landscape architect. I would just comment that because JM's do not develop a distinct leader, there is no apically dominant growth point in the tree, but all branch tips will share in apical growth. Removing the branch(s) in question will not necessarily cause the tree to grow taller faster but could very well produce increased overall growth of the canopy......there IS a difference :-) Also you want to be cautious with heavy pruning very late into the winter. Sap begins to move quite early with JM's and pruning after about mid-December may create a lot of bleeding. btw, although not necessarily obvious with this format, there are individuals that post here with some equally impressive credentials. Mike (miketann) is an extremely knowledgeable landscaper (now retired) with many years of experience and an entire personal "forest" of JM's :-) I too have a degree in horticulture and many years experience as a landscape designer and a nurseryperson. Just saying you are getting the benefit of a lot of years of professional experience on this forum as well....See MoreJapanese Maple Pruning
Comments (13)we need close pix of the leaves for an ID before we go any further ... i also suspect something other than JM ... and also.. nest time you are there.. spend a few minutes looking out that window ... and decide if you want that large a tree blocking that window .. maybe you do.. but maybe you dont ... but that would be a good starting point on what to do with the tree ... its easy to prune a plant.. when you can define.. in words .. what your goal is .. and then once you can do that.. you just go at the plant and make it so ... since we cant see the rest of the front of the house.. its hard to give you ideas as to how it should or can fit in the overall landscape ... also .. these prior peeps .. whats the deal .. whats the point of all the green blobs touching the hosue.. did you have no concept about the future growth potential .. planting them that close.. or was their goal just planting something that needed to be sheared a couple times per year ... is suspect.. you might be further ahead.. getting rid of those also ...it doesnt have to all be this year.. but in the years to come.. when you finish the inside of the house.. it might be time to fix all the problems they left you outside the house ... welcome to the forums ... its usually helps to know where you are.. big city name ... kken ps: polliinators. schmollinators.l.. if you leave those dandylions.. you will have twice as many after they seed.. and after summer bloom.. 4 times as many ... and by next spring.. 8 times as many .... do NOT come up with reasons to leave them ... you are creating a nightmare for later ... this is not the horse pasture out back.. its the front of your new castle ... and you dont want new neighbors walking by and pointing and giggling about your flower choices out there.. lol ... and do understand... i realize you have indoor priorities right now.. im just trying to dissuade you of the value of weeds in front of your house... pps: leave the shorter stuff around the bottom of the purple plant .. one of the reasons that i think it might not be JM is that many shrubs do such ... and thru rejuvenation pruning... you would cut all the tall stuff off.. and let the short ones grow into a more pleasing shape or form ... but you probably wouldnt want to do that with a JM ... thats why ID is imperative .. there is also a possibility that it was a grafted plant .. and the low stuff is different than the tall stuff .. regardless.. no more haircuts.....See Morenicholsworth Z6 Indianapolis
8 years agoMike McGarvey
8 years agoVinny
8 years agogardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
8 years agoMike McGarvey
8 years ago
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