Re: japenese maple pruning

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Posted by Newt on June 23, 2003 at 19:50:10:

In Reply to: japenese maple pruning posted by Jennifer on June 23, 2003 at 10:55:51:

: I have a willow type japenese maple that is just beautiful but.. it looks like a bush. I think I need to prune some of the branches but I am unfamiliar with this tree. Can I prune the underneath branches to get it to grow any taller?
: Also there are some crazy branches that are zigging WAY out from the tree itself.
: And do I wait until it is dormaint to do so?
: Thanks you so much for any info.

Hi Jeniffer,
It would really be best to prune in late winter - February. You certainly could remove the crazy branches, but it would be easier to shape the tree without the leaves on it. If you prune in fall, the tree is going dormant and won't be able to heal the wounds as well.

Pruning the lower branches won't make the tree grow any taller. Most of the weeping jap maples are grafted and if your graft is low, then it will tend to stay shorter. Here's some sites that show how to prune.

http://www.gilmour.com/images/pruning.pdf
http://www.hort.purdue.edu/ext/HO-4.pdf
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/BODY_MG087

Hope this was helpful.
Newt

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Comments:
: : I have a willow type japenese maple that is just beautiful but.. it looks like a bush.  I think I need to prune some of the branches but I am unfamiliar with this tree.  Can I prune the underneath branches to get it to grow any taller?
: : Also there are some crazy branches that are zigging WAY out from the tree itself.  
: : And do I wait until it is dormaint to do so?
: : Thanks you so much for any info.


: Hi Jeniffer,
: It would really be best to prune in late winter - February.  You certainly could remove the crazy branches, but it would be easier to shape the tree without the leaves on it.  If you prune in fall, the tree is going dormant and won't be able to heal the wounds as well.

: Pruning the lower branches won't make the tree grow any taller.  Most of the weeping jap maples are grafted and if your graft is low, then it will tend to stay shorter. Here's some sites that show how to prune.

: http://www.gilmour.com/images/pruning.pdf
: http://www.hort.purdue.edu/ext/HO-4.pdf
: http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/BODY_MG087

: Hope this was helpful.
: Newt



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Special thanks to Jane and Bob Rosi for providing this information.

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