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Thinking about acer pruning

B3B3 Posts: 27,505
in Plants
I know now is not the time to do it but it's a good time to decide what to prune while it's still in leaf so I have a couple of questions 
If I prune a branch that's about 1½" in diameter about half way along, will it sprout new growth of will I be left with a stump?
If I remove the whole branch, how much, if any, should I leave attached to the main trunk?
In London. Keen but lazy.
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  • nutcutletnutcutlet Posts: 27,445
    never leave stumps, they die back and that's where the rot sets in, always cut back to a bud or a joint. Branches need taking off, not cutting back to retain a good shape, if a cut back branch doesn't die back it's likely to sprout in any direction


    In the sticks near Peterborough
  • B3B3 Posts: 27,505
    Thank you @nutcutlet. That gives me some parameters to work within. Although, I'm not sure I quite understand the bud/ joint thing with regard to thickish branches. I get it with roses where the buds are obvious.
    I'm going to take some photos before and after leaf drop so that I can get some more advice later. It's a good shape at the moment but it's getting too wide. I don't want to do anything to spoil the natural shape.
    I'll be back😊
    In London. Keen but lazy.
  • nutcutletnutcutlet Posts: 27,445
    Most buds are towards the ends of branches. If you cut off that end you need to cut off the branch where it comes off the previous branch or the main trunk or it will die back. Stump ends are the biggest cause of rot


    In the sticks near Peterborough
  • B3B3 Posts: 27,505
    That makes sense. @nutcutlet .I thought you meant buds along the branch and I'd never seen any.
    It's a bit scary , the idea of sawing off a branch so I've been putting it off for a couple of years - naturally it's getting worse🙄
    In London. Keen but lazy.
  • nutcutletnutcutlet Posts: 27,445
    Show us some pics? 


    In the sticks near Peterborough
  • B3B3 Posts: 27,505
    Will do😊
    In London. Keen but lazy.
  • B3B3 Posts: 27,505
    Probably  more than you need @nutcutlet !

    In London. Keen but lazy.
  • nutcutletnutcutlet Posts: 27,445
    That's a splendid specimen


    In the sticks near Peterborough
  • B3B3 Posts: 27,505
    Thank you😊
    In London. Keen but lazy.
  • bédébédé Posts: 3,095
    edited November 2022
    I think, when the branches are bare is a better time.

    1.  First of all decide the final size and shape.  
    2.  I take out any major stem that is surplus the the intended final shape completely.
    3.   Take out any crossing branches.  
    4.  Open up the centre a bit.
    5.  I then prune back to a smaller branchlet, hopefully one that is growing in the right direction. If not I prune this back in a seconf year.

    Looking at it now, and thinking all winter, is just vacillating.  That might lead the lazy to become idle.
     location: Surrey Hills, England, ex-woodland acidic sand.
    "Have nothing in your garden that you don't know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful."
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