Pruning a mature acer

Posts

• KeenOnGreen Posts: 1,831

  May 2020

  For a garden that needs a lot of attention, it looks in pretty good shape (wot no Brambles?).  Agree it being a travesty to topiarise an Acer.  If it were me, I would give it some fresh ericaceous soil at the base, give it a liquid ericaceous feed every week, and just wait for it to naturally grow into a nicer shape.
  
  It's best not to prune them during the Summer, and pruning trees often results in them looking very unnatural.  They can put on a surprising amount of growth each year if conditions are right.

  0
• Fairygirl Posts: 55,117

  May 2020

  Blimey!
  I wonder if it possibly wasn't doing very well, and they've opted for a bit of topiarising to 'improve' it 
  
  I'd agree with @KeenOnGreen, let it grow and see what happens later in the year.
  Is it very sunny where it is? It might be suffering from a bit of scorching too, and that could be another reason for them tinkering with it. 

  It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
  
  
  
  I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...

  0
• Dave Humby Posts: 1,145

  May 2020

  If you do prune it should only be in the dead of winter as they bleed heavily. 

  0
• Deirdremacleod94 Posts: 2

  May 2020

  thanks for thanks for your comments. The tree is really healthy. No sign of disease. All the shrubs have been pruned to similar shapes!  I’ll wait until later in the year and see how it looks with done if the lower growth removed 

  0
• Pete.8 Posts: 11,340

  May 2020

  Dave Humby said:

  If you do prune it should only be in the dead of winter as they bleed heavily. 

  Completely agree - they bleed profusely from any significant pruning unless completely dormant

  
  Billericay - Essex
  
  Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
  Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.

  0