Unlike many other bonsai specimens, it can be pruned year-round. There are few rules on how to prune a Japanese maple. Step back from the tree several times as you prune the tree. I recommend you prune your Japanese maple in winter during the last frost of the season. Please consider making a contribution to wikiHow today. Especially important is to make a plan before chopping, branches, "I was told by so many friends, "don't trim the tree, you'll kill it". Removing too much foliage can make the tree vulnerable to sun scald. "The text was very clear. We tried, with the help of the nurseryman, to pick the best tree, but there are a couple of branches overlapping, and it looks crowded. You can root a Japanese maple but it is something that should be done only in soil. X Now I have two and it looks like, "I just moved to a home that has a Japanese maple tree, but I've never had one before. The wire will cut into the bark and scar the tree if it is not removed soon enough. The defoliation you've done means only that root growth has been retarded from what it might have been. Just take care not to remove more than half of the tree’s total mass. No. If a branch is hanging too low (on the ground), prune it back to an acceptable location. ", illustrations were straightforward. She attended the University of Texas at Austin. Your site gave me all the info I needed to make my new tree beautiful without killing it. Life happens and the Acer has to be saved. Unless your maple tree is young, you will need to hire a landscaper. Experiment and have fun when training your Japanese Maple! This can prevent bleeding, which often happens when you plant in the … Originally from China and Japan, the Trident maple is not as popular as the Acer Palmatum (the popular Japanese Maple Bonsai), but without doubt very suitable for Bonsai purposes. Do this carefully and thoughtfully. How do I save my dying Japanese maple tree? Our confidence in successfully tackling the process of shaping and caring for our 3 year old, never before pruned centerpiece is quite high. Plant Specialist. Learn how to manage stress like a therapist. Because bonsai Japanese maples are small, you can pinch away leaves instead of pruning without damaging the tree. ", hanging low. Thanks. Besides differing growth patterns the Trident maple can be distinguished by its 3-lobed leaves (as opposed to the 5-lobed leaves of the Acer Palmatum). ", with plenty of USABLE information - especially regarding the best time to prune. The information was clear and will certainly help me to make good decisions about, "I loved the step by step instructions with pictures! This is the best time to do any major training or corrective pruning. It matters not what you've done to it the season before. ", I can correctly prune a Japanese maple tree with ease! Your tree can look exactly like a certain style, or you could take an aspect or two from one and make it your own. Branches and trunks that have been bent through wiring present a more pleasing appearance. Unlike many other trees, Japanese maples are not season-specific. % of people told us that this article helped them. Establishing Roots on the Maple Bonsai 1 Dust the top cut with rooting hormone or wipe with a rooting gel. However, pruning in the spring may not give you the best results, since this is when the tree will be producing new growth and will be flowing with sap. Thanks! Remove some of the outer branches if you don’t want the canopy to be as wide. Instead, it is curved into an S shape and the bottom of the trunk is thicker than the top. This is completely up to you! Japanese Maple is perfect for this style since it works best with bonsai with fine branches with growth primarily at the top of the tree. Expert Interview. You should prune your Japanese Red Maple bonsai on a regular basis, several times per year. http://www.finegardening.com/article/pruning-japanese-maples, http://www.japanesemaplesonline.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/home.showpage/pageID/8/index.htm, http://www.oregonlive.com/hg/index.ssf/2009/01/how_to_prune_a_japanese_maple.html, https://gardenerdy.com/pruning-japanese-maple-trees, http://www.carryongardening.org.uk/shop/pruning-9acf4610/default.aspx, https://content.statefundca.com/safety/safetymeeting/SafetyMeetingArticle.aspx?ArticleID=97, https://www.thehandymansdaughter.com/prune-japanese-maple-trees/, http://www.treeremoval.com/trimming-and-pruning/how-and-when-to-prune-a-japanese-maple-tree/#.WtAd1OjOW3A, https://www.seattletimes.com/pacific-nw-magazine/its-time-to-thin-your-japanese-laceleaf-maple-tree-just-dont-go-crazy-with-the-pruning-shears/, https://hortnews.extension.iastate.edu/2009/3-11/transplanting.html, https://www.bonsaiempire.com/tree-species/maple, http://www.bonsaitreegardener.net/types/japanese-maple, consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. Amid the current public health and economic crises, when the world is shifting dramatically and we are all learning and adapting to changes in daily life, people need wikiHow more than ever. Thank you! Please help us continue to provide you with our trusted how-to guides and videos for free by whitelisting wikiHow on your ad blocker. High Quality Specimen Trees. ", itself in 2 - 3 years. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. ", confident we will have a beautiful tree.". "Narrative description with clear illustrations of branch with shears in the position of a cut was very informative. ", and nipping the buds were both very helpful. Absolutely. Pruning can take up to several hours. I have no leaves yet the middle of the tree is very dark and the end has a lot of branches which have a very light brown color. ", visualize the tree branch angle. To reduce overall bulk and clutter, prune throughout the tree evenly. Yes, you can. Some simple pruning can restore or enhance their natural form, bringing the most out of them for summer and winter. Every day at wikiHow, we work hard to give you access to instructions and information that will help you live a better life, whether it's keeping you safer, healthier, or improving your well-being. For this tree the front of the tree is on the right side of the picture, so the base of the triangle is there as well. The spring is when the maple has the most sap. ", step-by-step guidance. When to Prune a Japanese Maple. So, if your trunk is slanted towards the left, the base of the trunk will be off to the right. Monique Capanelli is a Plant Specialist and the Owner and Designer for Articulture Designs, an innovative design firm and boutique in Austin, Texas. Thank you. Your Japanese Maple can also be styled in an upright, formal position. With over 15 years of experience, Monique specializes in interior botanical design, living walls, event decor, and sustainable landscape design. How do I even out the branches on my Japanese maple tree? Pruning a Japanese Maple Bonsai. Then, trim down any branches that jut out from the tree to maintain the tree’s shape and give new branches room to grow. Once the branch is wired, bend it to the desired angle or shape. See more ideas about bonsai tree, pruning japanese maples, japanese maple. Can I prune the part on the ground without damaging the tree? Is this normal? In this style, the bonsai’s trunk is straight up and its branches are evenly distributed throughout the tree. Deadwood branches are leafless in warm seasons and, throughout the year, grey with a brittle texture. What do I do if my Japanese maple gets too tall? We use cookies to make wikiHow great. Now that I've used your site, "My sister has a Japanese maple tree, but it looks very sick, with dry branches at the top and a few branches. Good article. My husband has trimmed it to a, "We have just had a Bloodgood Japanese Maple planted in our front yard and I think it could use some structural. Now I know when to prune my Japanese maple. You will be able to spot overgrown areas better from a distance. Prune your Japanese Maple bonsai tree twice a year. A bonsai should be roughly triangular shaped. In cooler climates like Tasmania the maple prefers a position with good light. ", one side. Your email address will not be published. In this style, the trunk is slanted to one side. The only difference is the trunk is not straight. We planted our Japanese Maple and was told not to prune it until it had established, "I learned the season to prune the tree. With its dramatic coloring and versatility in shape and size, it's no wonder the Japanese maple (Acer palmatum) is a favorite for landscapers and homeowners who want a little low-maintenance beauty in their yards. To prevent your tree from getting too big, prune it every 2 years or so to keep it in the desired size range. My lace leaf maple is dragging on the ground. It covers all important points and the few tips at the end were helpful, too. Thank you. Japanese maples can handle anything from a light trim to more extensive pruning, depending on the time of year and the tree's health. Pruning the maple several times a year is a great way to keep the maple in good health and looking elegant. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. Thank you. The slow-growing tree is relatively small, reaching around 15 to 20 feet high, and responds to and even benefits from training and shaping. Japanese maples are easy to grow in containers or in the ground, with most preferring a sheltered, shady spot. Wiring your Japanese Maple can bend your bonsai’s branches or trunk. The trunk’s base should be closer to the pot on the opposite side of which your tree is slanted. the … ", owners, so this article gave me confidence to try and make it thrive. I thought the tree had died. I will wait til this winter and prune and shape my two year old trees. Discover Japanese maples. I feel ready to proceed. Needless to say, it is not doing well. Wait until your weeping maple has had a few years to grow. Begin wiring your tree at any time throughout the year. But ideally, it is done during the dormant stages of late fall or midwinter. Start by pruning less than you think you'll need to cut to prevent over pruning. References In nature, Japanese Maple trees’ leaves grow abundantly at the top of the tree. Last Updated: October 22, 2020 ", illustrations were perfect, conveying just what is pertinent. Discover Japanese maples. Thanks for an informative write up. Prune after leaf drop. Please consider making a contribution to wikiHow today. You should remove branches that are dead, those that grow too far out, and those that hang too far down, rather than growing upwards. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Prune a Japanese maple in summer, if necessary. Regardless of all the preceding information and advice, someone, somewhere, will want or need to prune their Acer or Japanese maple. Cut off any live branches that are growing toward the center of the tree, since these are unlikely to survive. The Japanese Maple Bonsai can be also be grown from a seed, however if you are a beginner a seedling is probably a wiser choice. Monique Capanelli. You can also remove any branches that curve at awkward angles to improve the tree's cosmetic look. This article was co-authored by Monique Capanelli. Maple leaf buds are small and red, and they jut out from the tree branches. Learn how to prune Japanese maple trees in this article. Have you ever wondered how to grow a bonsai tree from seeds? If you really can’t stand to see another ad again, then please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. One is creation pruning, maintenance pruning, and pruning for show. I have begun to learn how to proceed next year to help it be the best tree it can be. Bonsai For Beginners. She provides plant and botanical design experiences, from small gifts to entire transformations, to shoppers as well as commercial clients including Whole Foods Market and The Four Seasons. ", Now I know when/how to prune it. To prune a Japanese Maple, wait until it's at least 15 years old so you're not interfering with its natural shape. ", Inclusion of what to do and what not to do is also very informative. In southern states with zones 7 to 10, January is the recommended time. however, as the tree ages, it is becoming a feature for the tree(an exposed root style). She attended the University of Texas at Austin. While pine and coniferous trees prefer to be pruned by hand, the Japanese Maple is deciduous and can be pruned with shears or scissors. How do I treat shallow roots on my Japanese Maple tree? But there is no one way to train a Japanese Maple bonsai. In summer, however, you can judge the right amount of thinning needed to see the tree’s bones. When To Prune Japanese Maple Tree. Thank you! You should trim back twigs and shoots. For tips from our Horticulture reviewer on how to prune the complex branches of a Laceleaf Maple, read on! If we are patient, I am. Avoid pruning the tree in weather hotter than 80 °F (27 °C), especially if the tree is located in full sun. This article has been viewed 621,835 times. I'm feeling 100% more confident. Indoor Bonsai Trees . Training is crucial to not only the appearance but also the health of the bonsai. Your tree will look best and stay healthiest if you follow its natural pattern. With the leaves out of the way in winter, it is easy to see the branch structure and, in turn, make the right cuts. Japanese maples can stand a lot of pruning, so don’t be afraid to cut your tree back pretty severely. Bonsai Experience mentions pruning unsightly growths and protrusions and pruning the tips of the branches to keep them from growing. There are two limits to pruning Japanese maple trees that you should be aware of. [1] Avoid chopping any large, main roots as you don’t want to disturb the main system. Quick facts. It can be done anytime except spring when the tree is coming awake. Take what you will from these styles and leave the rest. With a pair of shears and the right technique, you can cut back excessive growth and give your tree a harmonious shape! This style can be achieved by pruning the leaves and branches so that they grow at the bottom of the tree as well as the top. Inner branches tend to die off because they are covered by the outer branches, meaning they don’t get enough sunlight. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 621,835 times. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/3\/36\/Prune-Japanese-Maple-Trees-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Prune-Japanese-Maple-Trees-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/3\/36\/Prune-Japanese-Maple-Trees-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/aid2334080-v4-728px-Prune-Japanese-Maple-Trees-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"546","licensing":"