How is the best time and way to trim back a red Japanese Maple?
We have a red Japanese Maple that needs to be trimmed. It is almost to the ground and is spread out over some flowers planted around it. We don't know when is the best time to do it or exactly how it needs to be done. It is a beautiful tree and we don't want to ruin it.
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Trim as close to trunk without hitting the trunk for large branches and at forks for small branches. Trim when needed, but fall is best.
Here are some excellent reference sites for You!
https://www.finegardening.com/article/pruning-japanese-maples
https://www.oregonlive.com/hg/index.ssf/2009/01/how_to_prune_a_japanese_maple.html
http://japanesemaplelovers.com/pruning-or-trimming-japanese-maples/
If you do not feel comfortable performing this task yourself, hire an arborist to do for you.
When it has already grown Enough to be Red then it is okay to Top it. I know because I have one that I topped early.
I call it my Christmas Maple...Red and Green.
I Put Solar Lights on it every Christmas...
Read these before you decide to "top" the tree.
https://www.plantamnesty.org/the-myth-of-tree-topping
https://www.angieslist.com/articles/topping-techniques-can-be-bad-trees-homeowners.htm
I wouldn't top the tree at all - it's not very healthy for the tree. You can trim back some branches in the winter when it is dormant.
Hi, Just cut with shears the hanging foliage /branches you don't want.