There is another thread on the site about this. It will depend on which cultivar (variety) it is there are loads. Serious renovation or structural pruning MUST be done when the plant is dormant or it will bleed sap profusely. This depends on the weather a bit but the safest time is usually November to Feb if you are in a cold area you may get away with it now, hence my warning on previous post. Apart from removing any obviously dead branches I would wait & see what it does this year & take it from there. It looks like quite a mature plant it would be a shame to spoil it.
If you have only just moved in I would just sit back and watch to see what grows in the garden, where shadows are and what protection it gives you from wind and sun. Then if a plant or tree is growing and you don't like it you can just take it out. If you prune the acer now you do risk damaging it, I cut back mine in autumn, the leaves are still on it then and you can see exactly which bits need to be cut out. They can give a welcome patch of shade on a hot day and looking through the leaves on a sunny day is beautiful. So don't be too quick to start chopping at things, sit back and just enjoy the surprise of what's growing. There may be a beautiful shade loving plant underneath.
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I will get a picture or the branches and buds when I get home, like I say I'm new to gardening so any advixe on pruning if it is a maple tree? Thanks
There is another thread on the site about this. It will depend on which cultivar (variety) it is there are loads. Serious renovation or structural pruning MUST be done when the plant is dormant or it will bleed sap profusely. This depends on the weather a bit but the safest time is usually November to Feb if you are in a cold area you may get away with it now, hence my warning on previous post. Apart from removing any obviously dead branches I would wait & see what it does this year & take it from there. It looks like quite a mature plant it would be a shame to spoil it.
Last edited: 01 March 2017 10:31:44
If you have only just moved in I would just sit back and watch to see what grows in the garden, where shadows are and what protection it gives you from wind and sun. Then if a plant or tree is growing and you don't like it you can just take it out. If you prune the acer now you do risk damaging it, I cut back mine in autumn, the leaves are still on it then and you can see exactly which bits need to be cut out. They can give a welcome patch of shade on a hot day and looking through the leaves on a sunny day is beautiful. So don't be too quick to start chopping at things, sit back and just enjoy the surprise of what's growing. There may be a beautiful shade loving plant underneath.
Thanks for the replys guys. I'm going to take the advice of sitting back and watching it grow. Then I can see where I am