Does this maple need any pruning?
5 years ago
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- 5 years agolast modified: 5 years ago
- 5 years ago
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Need advice on pruning Japanese Maple in tight space
Comments (3)Hey Randy, It could be that you have the wrong maple for the space, and it looks like you have already done some heavy pruning to provide clearance beneath the tree. I assume that you need clearance beneath the tree and you want clearance from the house and you also do not seem to want it too tall. That is a lot of limitations for this tree. It seems to me that you have the room to let it grow tall, which would be nice to see the leaves from the upstairs windows, and that is what i would probably do in this situation: keep the clearance beneath and cut any branches that grow against the house, but let it grow tall. if you want to keep it small, i suggest you keep it in the shape as the photo below, but this will require consistant pruning on the top to encourage side growth and keep the height in check. If you go this route, it will look better with a little bit of spread, sort of an umbrella effect, and you can just prune to leave some space between the branches and the corner of the house. You should try one of these first since it is such a mature tree, and see if it satisfies your needs. If not, you can then find a nice dwarf to replace it with. good luck, christian...See MoreNeed pruning tips for baby Jap Maples
Comments (4)I agree with mjh...there is no reason to do anything at this time that you can't do two or three years from now and have a better idea of what the tree will look like...As BB said you could train one stem but it is not necessary. I have never trimed any of my jm's except for dead limbs and they look great some have multiple trunks some single ...At any rate if you have a certain look you want you have PLENTY of time to "get" it... a wait and see attitude IMHO is the best course of action and you might like the look it naturally developes into BETTER than your minds eye view you have now... David...See MoreNeed Help with Maple Pruning
Comments (6)Ramon, the identity of the maple is only pertinent in that if it turns out to be a small-growing type, some of these concerns for long-term structural strength matter less. Like with an Amur maple-you won't ever have ten thousand pound branches hanging over your head with one of those, so such concerns diminish. So, let's say-and I couldn't tell for certain from the pic but I lean towards Norway maple-that it is a large-growing type: In that case, you might want to "subordinate" one or the other leads, probably the smaller and/or less centered of the two, by removing some of its length and taking out its growing tip. This will have the effect of slowing it down, allowing for gradual formation of a "branch collar-not a part of the branch but rather, a swollen area on the trunk where it is growing around the branch-and in time make total removal much more likely to be workable for the tree. Taking huge branches, especially co-dominant ones with no branch collar, off of trees results in wounds that the tree has great difficulty in closing off. So by doing the subordination work first, you increase the tree's chance of being able to do so. You're on the right track and while Ken is correct that trees do not necessarily have to be single-leader, you can already see the cleavage planes in your specimen where breakage will occur someday if allowed to continue growing like that. so once again-a tow-stage process: Slow down the offending branches first via proper heading-back cuts (to a side branch, preferably one facing outward away from the trunk) followed later by possible complete branch removal. In some cases, it may turn out that this second step is not needed. In still other cases, we find that not enough was removed from the branch initially and we have to shorten it up a second time. Trial and error rules supreme in this kind of work! +oM...See MoreDoes anyone have any japanese maple seeds they want to give away?
Comments (5)Hi,I purchased some off E.Bay here in the UK.Unsure where you are but it may well be worth a look.E.Bay USA..Alternately perhaps consider buying some from a reputable seller.I wouldn't think they would be Expensive to buy.... Probably the most Satisfying option would be to get out there yourself and Gather some Seeds yourself from beneath & around any Maple Trees in your Vicinity.They should be ready to gather soon..September ~ October.... Regards Stephen,CheshireUK...See More- 5 years ago
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reesepbuttercup SLC, Utah 6bOriginal Author