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Pruning acer

James.benn62529James.benn62529 Posts: 6
in Plants
hi all, I have an acer seiryu planted in the ground for just over a year. It is an oval shape growth character which I intend to encourage with clever pruning.
however I am new to pruning and I’ve watched lots of youtube videos but still not sure what to do with mine.
i have included some pics of my Acer. 
Do I cut the middle top branch that crosses over the other or is that the main growing stem of the tree. As I want to grow this as an upright habit can I train branches where I want them to grow or just leave it
alone ???
many thanks for any feedback 

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Posts

  • Joyce GoldenlilyJoyce Goldenlily Posts: 2,933
    I would be inclined to leave your tree alone until Spring. Any dead tips can work as protection against frost damage etc during the winter.
    There is one branch that looks as if it is growing horizontally which you could remove back to where there is a green shoot growing which is pointing outwards. Remove any white dead tips then check the shape.  Any other sideways growing stems can then be removed, followed by any thin wispy stems, to thin the head, back to a stronger growing stem.  If the variety is naturally domed shaped you will have a lifes work to train it into any other shape. Acers do not like being pruned at any other time of the year. It would be better to choose a variety that grows in the shape you want, rather than try and force one into an unnatural shape.  
    You say your tree has an oval-shaped head which you want to encourage but then you say you want to grow it as an upright shape so I am not sure what you want.. If you want to keep the top of the tree lower you can remove the long vertical stems back to a strong side stem but you will never stop a tree growing taller, it is what they all do.
    Ask again if I have not answered your query.
  • nutcutletnutcutlet Posts: 27,445
    the photos are not very clear to me but keep an eye on the growth that appears to be coming from the base of the trunk. If it come from below the graft it needs removing. I think any named cultivar will be grafted


    In the sticks near Peterborough
  • Allotment BoyAllotment Boy Posts: 6,774
    edited December 2023
    There is a lot of confusion over Acer pruning.  The Japanese prune Acers in all seasons except early spring when the sap is rising.  That said  large structural cuts should only be made in the winter dormant period.  You can prune to any shape you want but it depends on how much work you are prepared to do.  The best is to keep pruning to a minimum and let the tree achieve as natural a shape as possible. 
    AB Still learning

  • thevictorianthevictorian Posts: 1,279
    Seiryu is an upward growing acer cultivar so it's one I wouldn't try to manipulate as it will be hard to keep a natural look if you prune it. 
    It's hard to tell from the picture how much growth is connected to the twisted crossing branch but you could probably remove it with little issues if you do think it needs to go. The tree has plenty of other top growth, so it shouldn't slow down any vertical growth much, it's just whether that would leave a whole at the back or ruin the shape (which I can't tell from the picture). 
  • James.benn62529James.benn62529 Posts: 6
    Thanks for all your comments 
    I will leave it alone this year and see what happens. 
  • Silver surferSilver surfer Posts: 4,719
    edited December 2023
    James.benn62529 said:
    Thanks for all your comments 
    I will leave it alone this year and see what happens. 
    Good decision.
    You have a very healthy strong looking specimen.
    Enjoy.
    Just make sure you give it enough room.

    Do as suggested by nutcutlet  check for suckers coming from below/near ground level.

    Acer palmatum Seiryu.

    Perthshire. SCOTLAND .
  • James.benn62529James.benn62529 Posts: 6
    Thanks, I will check for suckers below graft, I would like this Acer to grow above the fence as in pics, and eventually look like the pic below.
    however Iam still unsure about the twisted branch as I don’t want it to encourage more twisted branches.
    this could affect the overall shape.
    any thoughts ?

  • James.benn62529James.benn62529 Posts: 6

    Twisted branch

  • Silver surferSilver surfer Posts: 4,719
    James.benn62529 said:
    Thanks, I will check for suckers below graft, I would like this Acer to grow above the fence as in pics, and eventually look like the pic below.
    however Iam still unsure about the twisted branch as I don’t want it to encourage more twisted branches.
    this could affect the overall shape.
    any thoughts ?

    It will be many years before your baby achieves a trunk as shown in your internet pic.

    I would definitely remove the branch that is looped behind./bent.

    Also just remove any grey twigs with your fingers..they are dead...all Acers get them.
    Acers always looks so much better if all dead twiggy bits are just snapped off.
    Perthshire. SCOTLAND .
  • James.benn62529James.benn62529 Posts: 6
    I would definitely remove the branch that is looped behind./bent.

    thanks
    just to be sure I’ve attached a pic with a point to the branch we think need to be removed or left ??


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