How to Prune Japanese Maple Trees

The Japanese Maple tree came form Japan, China and Korea. It was first introduced to England and the United States in the early 1800s. A Japanese Maple varieties can range from a small bonsai to 50 feet in height. They make a great addition to your landscape, whether planted in the ground of kept in containers. Their color can range from almost purple to a yellow-green. The trees need to be pruned for health and for formation. They only need to be pruned for a few years, though, unless you are growing a bonsai. Prune only when they are young, and you will have a beautiful tree in your landscape for a very long time.

Things You'll Need

• Pruning sheers
• Bleach
• Pruning sealant

Instructions

1. Check the tree over and make a plan. The Japanese Maple should be pruned in the fall or winter. Check for weak or damaged branches. Find branches that are rubbing against or crossing each other. If you find you have to prune many branches, make a plan to do some this year and some next year. You can schedule your pruning up to 3 years. Too much pruning at one time will put the tree in shock and leave it vulnerable to rot. Do not take more than one third of the tree at any one pruning.

2. Prune the sickly and weak branches first. Check your pruning sheers and make sure they are very sharp. If they are not, sharpen them before you start. Then dip them in bleach to make sure you don't transfer any plant diseases to the tree. Make a nice clean cut. Don't twist or break the branch off. Remember not to take more than one third of the tree. Leave the healthy branches that are crossing or rubbing for the next pruning.

3. Seal all of the cuts. You can get a sealant at your local nursery or home improvement store. There is a type that you can paint on and a type that is like putty. Follow manufacturers directions for drying time if you should need more than one application. The sealant will prevent bleeding and keep disease and harmful bugs out. Check the cuts in 24 hours to make sure they are all completely sealed. If not, you will see bleeding and you can apply more sealant.

4. Mark your branches for pruning the following year. If you can't get all the branches at once, tie a string loosely or use Teflon tape and mark the branches that still need to come off. You may find they don't need to come off later because of the way they grew, however, it will save you some time looking for them next year.