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Acers

rosyposymarierosyposymarie Posts: 32
in Problem solving
I have 2 acers in my garden which need to be trimmed and thinned, they are about 15ft tall and very healthy.  Can I do this myself as I am unable to find a company that wants to do this for me

Any advice appreciated
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Posts

  • PerkiPerki Posts: 2,527
    General you don't really prune acers but for removing the three D's ( dead - damaged - diseased branches ) branches that are rubbing on each other need looking at as well, one is usually removed .  Are you keeping it shape with a hedge trimmer like a ball ? A picture will help .

    It maybe a bit late now where you are for very hard pruning on Acer they are prune to bleeding. 
  • rosyposymarierosyposymarie Posts: 32
    I don't shape them, they are just growing in a narrow border and because there are so many leaves no light gets through to the plants underneath
  • BiljeBilje Posts: 811
    I have acers but the ones that are more wide than high. I need to keep it restrained as it was planted too close to a path. I don't massively attack it, but i do cut full branches back at this time of year no problem. If you leave it until the sap is flowing in Spring they bleed. Sorry but I can't advise about reducing the height or density overall. Mine are underplanted with small bulbs cyclamen and hellebores the bed is mulched with bark chipping some to keep it weedfree in summer.
  • Hostafan1Hostafan1 Posts: 34,889
    What sort of Acers are they? Japanese Maple type acers, or "tree" type acers?
    Devon.
  • BiljeBilje Posts: 811
    Good point Hostafan, mine are Japanese and I'd assumed that the original posters were too. 

  • Hostafan1Hostafan1 Posts: 34,889
    Bilje said:
    Good point Hostafan, mine are Japanese and I'd assumed that the original posters were too. 

    it's the "15ft tall" that got me. 
    For a Jap Maple, that's probably a very mature specimen, but if it's something like A. Drummondii it's not.
    Devon.
  • rosyposymarierosyposymarie Posts: 32
    Have just taken this photo, hope it helps 
  • Hostafan1Hostafan1 Posts: 34,889
    I'd remove the shoot from the "trunk" of the tree on the left, but I'd leave them alone. 
    IMHO they don't need to be touched. 
    Devon.
  • rosyposymarierosyposymarie Posts: 32
    Yes I think you are right, Thank you


  • Hostafan1Hostafan1 Posts: 34,889
    rosyposymarie said:
    Yes I think you are right, Thank you


    That doesn't often happen .  ;)
    Devon.
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