![]() ![]() This will prevent the branch from breaking under the weight and peeling down the trunk before the cut is complete. With a branch this thick, you'll want to cut from the underside first before sawing through the top. I used a pruning saw to remove the offending branch. Even though it's a pretty substantial branch, it's gotta go! You can see that there's one branch that has decided to break all the rules! It's growing at a right angle from the trunk, crossing the midline and rubbing against the other branches. It has a distinct V shape, which makes it pretty obvious to see which branches to trim. We have a larger upright Japanese maple that frames the entryway to our front yard. My tree only has leaves on one side, so it looks like a waterfall spilling onto the walkway. They should all be flowing down towards the ground. It's much easier to see this effect after some of the leaves have started to grow in, so you might want to wait a few weeks after the initial pruning to shape it.Ĭut away any branches that are sticking out at an odd angle. Removing a branch on one side may make it look worse on another side.Ī weeping Japanese maple should have branches that flow like a waterfall from the top to the ground. Keep enough leaves covering the trunk to protect against sunscald.Create layers or "clouds" of branches and remove ones that are interrupting those layers.Work from the bottom up and from the inside out. ![]() Remove branches that are shooting straight up or growing at a right angle.Some things to take into consideration when shaping your Japanese maple tree: You can always prune more, but you can't add branches back on! Take your time with this, and only make a few cuts at a time. Now that the problem branches have been cut, you can move on to the aesthetics of the tree. Removing all the dead branches first will allow you to see the healthy structure and make it easier to decide which ones to prune next. This poor tree is a mess! The canopy is so dense, all the branches underneath are dead from lack of sunlight. How to Trim a Japanese Maple Cut off dead branches first When using the saw, be sure to make cuts both above and below the branch at the collar. If you try to saw from the top only, it will tear the bark underneath when the heavy limb gives way. Small branches less than ¼" in diameter can easily be snipped with handheld bypass pruning shears, For extra leverage on branches up to an inch thick, you'll want to switch to bigger bypass loppers.įor major branches, you will want to get a pruning saw. You can learn more about pruning tools and how to use them here! A few simple hand tools are all you need to shape your tree. Japanese maples are prized for their delicate branch structure, so there's usually no need to break out the power tools when pruning. You can also prune in late fall or winter, after the leaves have dropped and it's easy to see the structure of the tree. ![]()
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