I recommend pruning maples between mid-July and August, a period when sap won’t run from cuts. Some gardeners don’t like pruning this species at all, but this will result in too much foliage. Give newly planted trees and shrubs only minimal pruning. Pruning the Laceleaf Japanese Maple tree is a bit more complicated than pruning the uprights. Heavy sap flow can lead to disease invasion and weakening of the tree. Japanese laceleaf maple trees prefer rich, well-drained acidic soil, plenty of moisture, and minimal fertilizer and pruning. We choose and plant this tree because we’ve seen its delicate form, graceful elegance, and the character of its branches enhancing many established landscapes. If heavy sap flow occurs, pruning should be delayed until it stops or wait until midsummer. Examine the tree. The first camp refuses to prune the trees at all, resulting in a great ball of foliage. Occasionally it is also referenced as cutleaf Japanese maple or threadleaf Japanese maple. Gardeners often fall into two camps with these trees. If you have a laceleaf Japanese maple (or a weeping Japanese maple), then its branches won’t only grow upward. It’s time to thin your Japanese laceleaf maple tree — just don’t go crazy with the pruning shears Originally published January 10, 2018 at 7:00 am Updated January 11, 2018 at 10:09 am The weeping Japanese Maple is a beautiful tree with its low arching branches reaching to the ground. Some gardeners don’t like pruning this species at all, but this will result in too much foliage. Pruning the Laceleaf Japanese Maple tree is a bit more complicated than pruning the uprights. Now here are my specific tips for pruning a laceleaf Japanese maple: When I approach a laceleaf maple (or any tree or shrub that I’m about to prune), I first walk around the tree to study its branches, silhouette and overall shape and structure. Japanese maples crave sunlight on all of their parts, which is an excellent key to pruning. After planting, prune out broken branches and those with weak or narrow crotches. Lace-leaf weeping Japanese red maple trees (Acer palmatum dissectum) are native to China, Korea and Japan, and are grown in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 5 through 9. If left to grow, this shoot will take over and out-compete the main tree. They’ll also grow downwards and to the sides. I have had frequent questions on pruning techniques and optimal pruning times of year for the Japanese Laceleaf Maple, and thought I would briefly list some info that could be helpful. Gardeners belonging to the second group tend to prune too much and end up with very little. A certain number of branch tips will have died back and these tips can be snapped off with your fingers, or larger branches can be cut with a pruning tool. So now let’s assume that you have a fairly mature weeping Japanese maple in your yard that really hasn’t been pruned, or hasn’t been pruned properly. Prune away deadwood and overlapping branches while directing any buds you see in the right direction. Remove any shoots growing from the base of the plant whose leaves look different from the rest of the plant. Pruning Japanese Maples by Michelle Le Strange, UC Master Gardener One of the most favorite trees in the home landscape is the lovely Japanese Maple (Acer palmatum). Heavy sap flow can lead to disease invasion and weakening of the tree. This is not only unattractive but opens the tree to opportunistic disease pathogens, as well. A thorough pruning involves removing dead limbs and crossing branches (or branches that will cross in the future). Removing too much top affects the production of food energy (carbohydrates) and can result in poor root development. Laceleaf Japanese maples are slightly more complicated than their upright cousins. Your email address will not be published. Wanted! They will outgrow their good health, becoming so dense that interior growth begins to die. When maples are pruned in late winter or early spring the wounds can be more damaging. Pruning a Mature Lace Leaf Weeping Japanese Maple. Both types have a natural and harmonized flow with intricate branch growing patterns. As a maple tree, the Japanese Laceleaf will bleed or ooze sap. Tips for Pruning Your Japanese Laceleaf Maple Tree. 1. Japanese maple trees come in two major types: laceleaf and upright maple trees. The two main types are lace leaf and upright. As a maple tree, the Japanese Laceleaf will bleed or ooze sap. Look for leaves or branches that look like they just don’t belong. Because the bones of this tree are important to its overall beauty, you’ll want to keep many of … Laceleaf-maple pruning is often called “shell pruning” because, when done correctly, the top layer of branches forms a protective veil of foliage over the plant that resembles a shell. Every tree has a geometric shape and a direction or pattern in which the branches flow. 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