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Japanese Maple

[Deleted User][Deleted User] Posts: 0
in Plants

We have quite a large Acer/Japanese Maple in the garden which is beautiful but is growing too far over the lawn. I am confused as to when to cut it back, I would have thought best time is now as there are no leaves but also dont want to damage the plant. I want to cut it back about one third if possible but I believe that it could kill it off completely doing this? I have added a picture to show what its like now and one to show what its like when covered in leaves (you can see it bottom right of the garden). 

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  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,138

    I don't grow acers so I don't know when the right time of year to do it is, but I would say that, as with any trees with an elegant form, when cutting back aim to follow the shape the tree already has, and take out whole branches to thin and lighten the canopy, rather than just shorten branches which will leave you with an ugly bushy shape.

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    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • GardenmaidenGardenmaiden Posts: 1,126

    I would do it now before new shoots emerge. I have some small acers and three that are tall and I will be tidying them up before the leaves emerge.

  • Joyce GoldenlilyJoyce Goldenlily Posts: 2,933

    Japanes maple do not like to be cut back hard, it will very probably kill them.

    Light pruning at regular intervals is the best way to train and control their growth. I would only remove one third of the length you want to remove, next year remove the next 1/3rd and the following year the final section. Then keep the tree trimmed back each year.

    Give the tree a light feed after cutting back and a top mulch of peat or ericaceous compost around the base.

  • Alan4711Alan4711 Posts: 1,657

    High Moors, Not knowing a thing about these lovely trees and not having but would like an Acer I read all the advice and followed up as we intend to get a small one,as usual all the advise is spoton and I found this that you might be interested in,Royal H/S,,https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?pid=126, have now to decide which SMALL one to get.

  • [Deleted User][Deleted User] Posts: 0

    Thanks Joyce, thats what I was worried about, although tempted to cut right back I thought I might kill it off because these are quite sensitive plants/trees.

    I will have a read of the article Alan, we only moved in this July so I cant take the credit for this lovely acer but I dont want to damage it trying to tidy it up. Thanks for advice

  • BiljeBilje Posts: 811
    I was too enthusiastic in buying and growing Acers. I planted them too close together initially about 15 years ago. I love them but do have to manage them as they are now growing into each other. I was advised about 5 years ago to prune or cut back in the depths of winter when they are dormant. If left until early spring they have a tendency to bleed as the sap rises. We have cut out quite large branches with no problem, just for info I'm in the NE.
  • [Deleted User][Deleted User] Posts: 0

    Thanks Bilje I might just cut a little back now then wait for next winter to do the rest...fingers crossed

  • Joyce GoldenlilyJoyce Goldenlily Posts: 2,933

    If it is a plant you really like, always err on the side of caution, rather than go in all guns blazing. It would be really sad to lose the tree just because of lack of patience.

  • Tropical SamTropical Sam Posts: 1,488

    Acer palmatum do not need acidic soil, they prefer pH neutral to slightly acidic. Now is the correct time to prune back as the sap is low.

  • [Deleted User][Deleted User] Posts: 0

    Fab, thanks Blairs. I will just give it a little trim this weekend and maybe do the rest next year Joyce so I do it in stages

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