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Maple Tree
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[Deleted User]
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Please see the pictures of the Maple Tree in our garden. It's my favourite tree, I love the bright yellow leaves in the summer its so eye catching. It used to be an almost perfect umbrella shape but as you can see from the pictures (I will attempt to attach shortly!) on the right hand side the branches have shot right up making it odd looking.
What I want to know is why is it doing this and how can I cut it back to make a nice umberrella shape again?
Also.. The leaves appear to be damaged this year, blackened with holes. What is causing this damage and do you think it may be to do with my neighbours apple tree looming over the top?
Please help! ????????????
Last edited: 26 September 2016 15:35:18
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Hello Mooresthemerrier,
Your tree is only changing its direction of growth in order to gain access to better light for photosynthesis.
Plants have a very clever way of doing this: the plant growth regulator (hormone) auxin, which promotes stem elongation, is destroyed by light, but is retained on the darker side of the stem, so the side of the stem that is in the shade grows at a more rapid rate than the other side, which is in the light.
Which is what has caused the new shape of your tree.
You can trim back any branches that are growing out of shape, however, branches that grow subsequently will also respond to the light levels in the same way.
Pruning of Acers is usually carried out between late summer and mid-winter, to avoid them bleeding.
The leaves aren't much to worry about - mine go the same every year in late summer and autumn.
Acers are very prone to leaf scorch, which they develop due to lack of water (a great possibility here with the other trees in close proximity), strong winds, frost or any other type of environmental stress.
Hope this helps!
pbff
Hi pbff,
Thanks for this! I have only just seen this post - great timing as I'm just about to go and do some work in the garden. Everything you advised makes total sense!
I didn't see this one before. This looks like of the fancy sycamore cultivars. Make sure the fast growing part hasn't reverted to plain green, if it has, cut it out or it will take over.
Black bits on leaves is what sycamores do. fungal maybe?
In the sticks near Peterborough
Hi Nutcutlet,
No the leaves stayed the same colour as the others - although not sure whether to cut it back now as it already has new buds on it?!
I think the apple tree from next door needs cutting back though as this is whats shading it and I suspect thats why its growing a funny shape?