There isn’t necessarily a right or wrong way to prune your maple tree. This maple tree guide will teach you exactly how and when to prune maple trees. Engineered Hardwood vs Laminate Flooring: Which Is Better for Your Home? Most pruning should be done while the tree is young; it will recover more quickly. I recommend pruning Japanese maple trees twice a year. Always prune trees in the winter, during dormancy. Pruning a Maple tree to stay "small" Asked September 16, 2016, 4:23 AM EDT. When you prune your maple tree, or any tree, shrub, or plant for that matter, you are giving it several different things at once.First, you are training the tree to grow in the direction you want it to. Equip yourself with the right safety equipment. Pruning Maple Trees: Know Why and How to Do It. Prune your red maple tree in the late spring when the new leaves are developed. Fertilization is usually not necessary, but when needed, a general-purpose fertilizer applied in spring is sufficient. While safety should always be your first priority the next is knowing where to cut on your tree. This should be around late May or early June. Proper pruning alters the form and growth of a tree. The third step is to separate the tree into layers. Stand back and study the tree’s shape carefully and try to visualize the form before making the cut and removing the branch. Horticulturist and landscape designer living in the suburbs of Boston, Massachusetts. Decide on the shape and direction you want your tree to grow. The familiar red maple (Acer rubrum) is a native, fast-growing shade tree that has an oval form. Next, prune off dead wood — that is, any dead twigs or brittle branches that no longer grow foliage. Like eucalyptus and birch trees, the peeling bark delights children, who may harass the tree a little more than you like, unless you guard against it… The red maple (Acer rubrum) is one of the most common, and popular, deciduous trees in much of the eastern and central U.S.It has a pleasing oval shape and is a fast grower with stronger wood than most of the so-called soft maples. The time when you prune red maple trees is the same as any maple tree; mid-summer or in the fully dormant state just before the sap starts to run. When you prune your maple tree, you keep it at a manageable size. When Is the Best Time of Year to Start Pruning? After that, you can start removing other branches from your tree. Some cultivars reach heights of 75 feet, but most are a very manageable 35 to 45 ft. tall shade tree that works well in most situations. Japanese maples are low-maintenance trees with beautiful red foliage. Nature Hills Nursery sells a 4-5 foot Autumn Blaze Red Maple tree; enter your zip code to find out shipping costs. On average though, they will live about eighty to one-hundred years. Removing too many branches can make your tree look a little sickly. When it is needed to keep the tree healthy and properly shaped, prune when the tree is dormant (late fall or winter). 5 Steel Maintenance Questions, Answered. Without regular pruning, the branches can grow tall and wide, which can start to encroach on your neighbors’ property, power lines, or your home. When To Trim Japanese Maple Trees? Proper pruning alters the form and growth of a tree. When it is needed to keep the tree healthy and properly shaped, prune when the tree is dormant (late fall or winter). Many problems can be corrected or prevented by pruning during the formative years of a sugar maple. On the other hand, if you require proper guidelines on how to prune maple trees, here is a Gardenerdy post with all the details. They’ll be able to give you some advice, or if you prefer, you can hire a professional to take care of the job for you. Maple trees are recognizable for their brilliantly-colored fall foliage, which naturally appears in shades of bright red or yellow. 3. It benefits your tree (and your property) in a number of ways. When planting a tree, many people do not take into consideration that a "baby tree" will be that large 20 or 30 years later. Wait until the new leaves on the tree … Maples should not be pruned in spring and will bleed profusely if this is done. Most pruning should be done while the tree is young; it will recover more quickly. Paperbark maple is a relatively small landscape tree that provides a unique beauty to the landscape, thanks to its fall color (typical of maples) and its exfoliating (peeling) copper orange to cinnamon reddish/brown bark (quite unusual for maples). To keep the form of a weeping Japanese maple tree, you should remove any branches that cross the midline of the tree. Make sure you wait until the end of summer! Cut Intertwining Branches. This gives the tree time to heal while pests and moisture related diseases are less of a threat. Small Outdoor Bar Ideas To Add A Touch Of Elegance... Best Time Of Year For Landscaping Your Home, 5 Safety Tips To Avoid Injuries While Moving, The Most Advanced Industrial Floor Construction Equipment-Concrete Laser Screed, 5 Reasons Moving Services Make Moving Easier, Tips For Surviving the Heatwave by Keeping Cool, Find The Best Selling Designs Of Silver Jewels From Reliable Wholesaler, Can You Use Windex on Stainless Steel? If a heavy wind blows through or a storm rolls up, the tree might start dropping these weakened branches. This gives the tree time to heal while pests and moisture related diseases are less of a threat. 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