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Acer
Hello,first time on here so I hope someone can offer some advice. I have a large Acer in the front garden of my new home which has been shaped into a box,it's a good 8ft tall and well established. I'd like to get it back to a more natural shape though. I'd be devastated if I ruined it so any help would be appreciated,thanks.
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http://apps.rhs.org.uk/advicesearch/profile.aspx?pid=126
Hi Kev, this is from R.H.Societry its full of advice for you.
What a strange choice of plant to clip into a geometric shape.
In the sticks near Peterborough
..I always think clipping to a severe shape, or topiary work must be a male thing...I find it quite ghastly...whether it be Box, Yew, Forsythia, or Conifer...
I would have thought with an Acer, if you just let it grow it would eventually form it's natural shape again.. may take some time...alternatively, I might prune it severely back, cutting out the 'ball' completely and leaving the outermost branches with outward facing buds... if you know what I mean...lol...
I agree with you Verdun. Close to where I live someone has tightly clipped a forsythia into a column, which is absolutely glorious when it is in full flower - a column of gorgeous yellowness. Really uplifting on those dull spring days. I must admit when I moved into my new house a couple of years ago I was tempted to dig out my forsythia, but having seen the effect tight clipping can have, I am converted!
Do you need to cut the lower branches right back to create at least a semblance of a tree trunk?
Just a quick question from me, I thought Acers were very particular / unusual about when they could be pruned. Have I dreamed that? Something that I was once heard about an Acer Griseum.
Japanese maples are usually particular when it comes to pruning, should only prune in winter, or bleed heavily if pruned in leaf.
Acer could mean a sycamore tree! Would be good to see a photo of said tree.
I think they all do that Bamboogie. Field maples certainly do when I cut a branch off at the wrong time and I've seen one of my sycamores dripping when I've not touched it. Leaky trees
In the sticks near Peterborough