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Acers
Guernsey Donkey2
Posts: 6,713
in Talkback
When is the best time to prune acers - am I too late - I have two in pots and they look a bit messy don't they?
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Do you think that maybe the front one could do with a bigger pot and then you could get a better idea of what you want to prune?
You are probably right B3 - the thought of wrestling with the plant to remove it from the pot is a bit daunting - I can't lift it - I think it is a job for the men.
I don't think they look messy and probably don't need pruning. They do look cramped though. The stems on the front one (maybe the back one too?) are all held together at the bottom by that plastic tie. This stops the branches finding their right position and forces all the smaller twigs too close together. It needs moving away from the wall to somewhere it has space and plenty of light and the tie and the cane removing. Then you will be able to see the shape of the whole tree and it should look (and feel) much better
It will need to be turned from time to time so it grows evenly. A well grown, decent size Japanese acer is worth having. It will probably take 2 to repot it, as you say. Something like a half barrel would make it a good home for quite a while.
i would prune soon asap.
thin out to get a better structure and clip back to a lower bud. i would personally wire some of the branches also but thats just my thang
all trees get styled in my garden
and remove those branches sticking out the base
have some room from base to 1st branches etc and remove any crossing branches
I really would not prune an Acer at this time. They are not far from coming into leaf, and they will "bleed" if you prune them now. On a tree that size, it might cause serious problems.
If they have to be pruned, then do it in the winter.
When you don't even know who's in the team
S.Yorkshire/Derbyshire border
the amount of bleed on a tree this size is negligible and if was a large cut just use cutting paste
albeit bleed is good for callusing just avoid large branches.
but yes, i trimmed mine just a few weeks ago before started to leaf
You obviously have had very different experiences to me.
I have found, and most of the published literature recommends; pruning as little as possible, and only between November and January.
As Buttercupday says: move pot away from the wall, remove the ties and repot.
When you don't even know who's in the team
S.Yorkshire/Derbyshire border
Oh GD2
What'll you do?
So much conflicting advice
You pays yer money and takes yer chice