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Pruning Acers

• Message 1. 

  Posted by Neroinheaven (U15098865) on Friday, 6th April 2012

  Ive been given conflicting advice about when to prune my Acer - one expert saying as soon as the leaves have fallen and another end of the last frost. I really dont want to lose my tree, but its out of shape and looks more like a bush, although I can see a very beautiful shape emerging if I could only remove the lower branches. Can anyone advise please.

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• Message 2

  , in reply to message 1.

  Posted by Goldilocks (U2169760) on Friday, 6th April 2012

  Best do any serious pruning in late autumn. I don't prune mine, but they are prone to die back over the winter so I remove dead bits around now.

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• Message 3

  , in reply to message 1.

  Posted by lovespumpkins (U14259050) on Friday, 6th April 2012

  I don't 'prune' mine, either. I only snip off the dead bits when they spring back to life.
  
  But they are best pruned from nov-feb, as pruning any other time can lead to maples bleeding sap and as a result, weaken the tree.
  
  I have many styles of maples, some grow more like bushes and others trees. I like the variety.
  
  Hope this helps.....

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• Message 4

  , in reply to message 3.

  Posted by Thesassenach (U14884672) on Saturday, 7th April 2012

  Depending on the type of Acer (are we talking Japanese, Snakebark, or another type, like the sycamore/Norway maple cultivars?) I would agree with the above advice. Generally, only prune in the winter, when the sap is down and the tree is dormant. Never prune when the tree is coming into leaf, or losing leaf, as this will disrupt the hormones that the tree is producing, and cause harm.
  
  To shape, or thin out branches, you can attain the shape you want in winter, but remember, pruning will encourage growth from the node that you cut to. You will end up with two twings from that point instead of one. If you are thinning the canopy, to shape an Acer palmatum for example, then watch for growth in the spring, and just keep rubbing off the unwanted buds that sprout.

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