![]() ![]() It has a distinct V shape, which makes it pretty obvious to see which branches to trim. We have a larger upright Japanese maple that frames the entryway to our front yard. My tree only has leaves on one side, so it looks like a waterfall spilling onto the walkway. They should all be flowing down towards the ground. It's much easier to see this effect after some of the leaves have started to grow in, so you might want to wait a few weeks after the initial pruning to shape it.Ĭut away any branches that are sticking out at an odd angle. Removing a branch on one side may make it look worse on another side.Ī weeping Japanese maple should have branches that flow like a waterfall from the top to the ground. Keep enough leaves covering the trunk to protect against sunscald.Create layers or "clouds" of branches and remove ones that are interrupting those layers.Work from the bottom up and from the inside out.Remove branches that are shooting straight up or growing at a right angle.Some things to take into consideration when shaping your Japanese maple tree: You can always prune more, but you can't add branches back on! Take your time with this, and only make a few cuts at a time. Now that the problem branches have been cut, you can move on to the aesthetics of the tree. Removing all the dead branches first will allow you to see the healthy structure and make it easier to decide which ones to prune next. This poor tree is a mess! The canopy is so dense, all the branches underneath are dead from lack of sunlight. How to Trim a Japanese Maple Cut off dead branches first ![]() When using the saw, be sure to make cuts both above and below the branch at the collar. If you try to saw from the top only, it will tear the bark underneath when the heavy limb gives way. Small branches less than ¼" in diameter can easily be snipped with handheld bypass pruning shears, For extra leverage on branches up to an inch thick, you'll want to switch to bigger bypass loppers.įor major branches, you will want to get a pruning saw. You can learn more about pruning tools and how to use them here! A few simple hand tools are all you need to shape your tree. Japanese maples are prized for their delicate branch structure, so there's usually no need to break out the power tools when pruning. It is a surprise every time.īe sure to see the video at the end where I share plain pruning and then how I prune and shape others.You can also prune in late fall or winter, after the leaves have dropped and it's easy to see the structure of the tree. So if you think you are going to get a red Japanese Maple because the tree you collected seed from is red then you may be sadly disappointed.īut that doesn’t mean you won’t get pretty colors and you may very well get red. They cross pollinate so the colors of trees you get from growing those seeds can display any of the qualities from any of those trees. If you make a purchase after clicking a link I may make a small commission at no cost to you. The seeds I grew are from a winery that has a wide range of Japanese Maples of all colors. When you start Japanese Maples from seeds you get what you get. In Spring they emerge with bright foliage and as summer progresses that foliage can change color depending on the variety. Especially if you prune and train Japanese Maples into beautiful shapes. Japanese Maples are so beautiful no matter what time of year. I am not an expert or trained, I have just experimented with seedlings I have grown and am passing on what I have learned so far. Japanese Maple trees are not difficult to prune or train so they are looking their best. Japanese Maples are a favorite tree for their bright foliage and interesting shapes.
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