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Acer pruning mistakes
mariangelabrunaSPIMwB5U
Posts: 5
My acers have grown
some ugly long shoots after being pruned by a professional gardener
in the summer. The aim was to contain their growth a bit but they
actually ruined their beautiful shape. What can I do now? Thank you
for any help.
0
Posts
I suppose you have to either allow them to take the space they need or keep pruning them with a consequence looking less natural. At least early spring before they start leading out is the perfect time to shape them a bit.
The usual approach with them is to prune as little as possible...I go past daily what could be a nice specimen in a neighbouring front garden and it sadly gets trimmed alongside a hedge to a flat top by their "gardeners" and it's so sad.
The Japanese prune Acers in all seasons, just not in early spring when the sap is rising. That said, large structural cuts should be restricted to the winter dormant season only. Like any plant, if you prune hard it will stimulate growth as the tree tries to rebalance itself. Normally you take long growth back to 2buds now and one bud in late summer, but I think if you try that on your tree it will just shoot off again. Cut the longest growth back by 1/3 to a bud or suitable branch point. Thin some of the most congested growth carefully. See how it responds, in late spring early summer shape it some more; do it again in late summer. Keep stepping back look at it from all angles, you want it
It has taken more than 5 years to achieve this . There is still too big a gap between the top and second layer but you can't always have perfection.
If people want to keep acers truly size controlled then maybe they should consider using large pots (can take the bottom off to make maintenance easier).
I fear too frequently people just remove too much growth and short term make their tree ugly and they just give up on them. Which is a huge shame for what is usually quite an expensive addition to any garden.
Once you're a bit more experienced, and more confident, you can take more risks, but I'd hate it if I said to someone they can prune in summer no problem, and then the thing dies because they've taken every branch back by two thirds instead of a few inches!
Slowly, slowly to start with, then a bit of experimenting in the main growing season, is the best way to proceed.
They aren't like many other shrubs which you can cut to the ankles and they just grow back no problem, and it can be disheartening if you cut too much then try to make it right. A bit like fringes....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
It's just that so many British gardeners seem obsessed that if you cut an Acer at any time other than the dead of winter it will bleed to death. I echo your comments about the butchery of many plants by so called gardener's.
Going back to the OP I'm also wondering if the tree is meant to be an upright type.
Then the controlling kicks in.
I am adding the best photo I could find of what the tree looked like before the pruning. It's of a year ago, and this was its natural shape, how it grew by itself without any intervention. It's an acer palmatum pixie. I hope the difference with now is clear enough.
Then, since the discussion has gone a bit beyond my original question, I would like to point out a couple of things from my point of view. I have a small garden but I do not consider myself a gardener, that's why I asked a professional gardener, who had been recommended to me, to do some work in the garden for me. I didn't even specifically ask to prune the acer!! I asked for intervention appropriate to the season in order to keep the garden looking good and the plants healthy. Now I think I might as well make my own mistakes, take risks and try to learn a bit of gardening, rather than paying anyone for making mistakes in my own garden!
This tree, by the way, was planted in that
spot by another professional gardener/garden designer, I think about
5 years ago. The other thing I have learnt (more generally, not specifically about this acer issue) is that garden designers, or
those who call themselves so, tend to put a lot of plants in to give
their clients immediate gratification, without worrying about the
fact that plants will grow and change...
So I guess my point is: People who work like that do a disservice not just to themselves but to the whole category, because I now find it hard to trust anyone to know what they are doing or to do what is really best for the garden.
Also, I really appreciate you people taking your time to help and I appreciate your passion. Thank you!
I suggest you prune to get the shape you want (in about 3 years ahead say). Look at a bonzai book. Cut the long shoot right back; to an outward pointing bud/shoot. Perhaps leave 1 or 2. Do the same for over-long side shoots.
"Have nothing in your garden that you don't know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful."