Should I cut the green leaves off of my red Japanese maple?

Question

I bought a small Japanese maple last year and this year the bottom leaves came in green. Should I leave the green ones or trim them off.

Tam13317878 · Answer

<div>leave them</div>

Linda Garretson · Answer

No the new leaves are always green and will turn red later just wait and see how pretty

Janet Pizaro · Answer

Cut the feeders off.If you leave them all energy will go to them and not the tree.

Julie M. · Answer

I used to have many different Japanese Maples when we lived in the Pacific Northwest. This is normal and they will probably change. BTW I do not believe that these are suckers or feeders so leave them alone for now. The beauty of the Japanese Maple is the continuing 'mounding' of the tree. Spectacular specimens!!!!

Susie · Answer

Drae13 · Answer

Not an expert on Japanese Maples but it looks like 2 different leaves here, not talking about the color because that obvious. However the pattern and cut on the leaves look different as well. Could be you got one that was grafted onto a cheaper less showy cultivar.

Cyndie Birdsong · Answer

I think they graft a lot of decorative trees. I know they do this for most fruit trees as well. I had a japanese maple that did the same thing and the lower leaves never changed to match the rest of the tree. Look closely at the trunk above the green leaf branch to see if you can find where/if it was grafted. I'd probably cut off any suckers to the lower trunk if that's the case.

Judith · Answer

Yes, this a grafted tree. The branches are coming fron the rootstock.

Judith · Answer

Cut them off.

Carrie Davis · Answer

If you look carefully at the picture you will see 3 different leaf types You actually have 3 different 'trees' in one. You could probably cut off the branches that you dont want, but they may come back again.

Check at a nursery and ask about a special paint. You paint it on the places you cut the branches off. It should inhibit any new growth as well as protect the remaining tree from pests, bacteria, and viruses.

Should I cut the green leaves off of my red Japanese maple?

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Should I cut the green leaves off of my red Japanese maple?

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