How to Prune a Japanese Maple Tree

Learn about evergreen and deciduous trees here
Post Reply
mvftw
Posts: 34
Joined: May 15th, 2020, 12:00 pm
Location: Long Island
Grass Type: Northern Mix
Lawn Size: 1000-3000
Level: Some Experience

How to Prune a Japanese Maple Tree

Post by mvftw » August 23rd, 2020, 9:26 pm

Image
I bought this tree about 2 months ago. It seems healthy.
My concern is that some of the branches have leaves in the middle, but just buds towards the end.
Do I prune up to the leaves or just leave it alone?

User avatar
andy10917
Posts: 29739
Joined: February 23rd, 2009, 10:48 pm
Location: NY (Lower Hudson Valley)
Grass Type: Emblem KBG (Front); Blueberry KBG Monostand (Back)
Lawn Size: 1 acre-2 acre
Level: Advanced

Re: How to Prune a Japanese Maple Tree

Post by andy10917 » August 23rd, 2020, 10:19 pm

That appears to be a Weeping Laceleaf Japanese Maple, and they grow quite slowly. Two months is a blink of an eye to a Laceleaf. To work with one, you're going to need to a lot of patience. A lot.

User avatar
BuckeyeChuck
Posts: 1063
Joined: June 16th, 2011, 12:56 pm
Location: Northwest Ohio
Grass Type: Blueberry
Lawn Size: Not Specified
Level: Not Specified

Re: How to Prune a Japanese Maple Tree

Post by BuckeyeChuck » March 6th, 2021, 1:13 pm

Image

Mvftw, this is what mine was like after 11 years. When I planted it in 2009 it looked like a pencil or stick. You have to ignore the growth rate and not prune...come back in 10 years. Andy is accurate

User avatar
MorpheusPA
Posts: 18129
Joined: March 5th, 2009, 7:32 pm
Location: Zone 6 (Eastern PA)
Grass Type: Elite KBG
Lawn Size: 10000-20000
Level: Advanced

Re: How to Prune a Japanese Maple Tree

Post by MorpheusPA » March 6th, 2021, 5:03 pm

Agreed. Mine at fifteen when it finally passed on was finally just getting nice. I'd have sent a note to the landscaper but the tree, with considerable battling from me, managed to outlive him. It was buried two feet too deep and I couldn't lift it.

For now, let it go. These trees are exceedingly slow growers, and light feeders. When you feed the lawn in May, scatter an extremely light amount of whatever you use (unless it contains a pesticide, herbicide, or other additive, in which case skip it) around the tree. Whatever rate the lawn uses, use about half or less on the tree. Do it again in October when you feed the lawn. That will be more than sufficient.

Post Reply

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 5 guests