Japanese maples 'will not survive' if gardeners don't follow 1 vital pruning rule

Pruning is the primary care task required when it comes to Japanese maples to keep them flourishing for as long as possible.

Whatever variety of Japanese maple you have, gentle trimming beneath the branches is advised as the branches sag when the plant grows older, and heavy limbs can develop too low, placing strain on the remainder of the tree.

Trimming Japanese maples mainly involves cutting away dead wood and slender stems, which block the tree's attractive framework. Younger trees require the lowest branches to be cut back as well to improve clearance.

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Rebecca Wolken, a gardening expert at HappySprout, offered guidance on when and how gardeners should trim their Japanese maples, reports the Express.

She said: "When you start thinking about pruning the plants in your garden, it's vital to their health that you do your research and find out what time of year is best for that specific plant.

"If you're just going to be snipping off a few branches, then you can do that any time of year without affecting the health of the Japanese maple. However, if you plan to prune a lot of branches to change the shape or size of the tree, you'll want to do that in the winter."

Trimming Japanese maples during winter is essential because they're dormant and won't leak sap from cuts that can weaken them.

Nevertheless, if you have the proper tools that are clean and sharp, even light trimming can be carried out at any time of year. A gardening expert revealed some crucial advice, explaining: "The most important part of pruning your Japanese maple is what you use to cut it.

"To ensure the plant doesn't get sick and die, only use disinfected and sharp pruning shears. A sharp tool makes a clean cut and makes it easier on you and the tree."

To stop disease spreading, gardeners should sanitise their equipment with a straightforward bleach and water or alcohol mixture between plants.

When cutting branches, specialists recommend slicing close but not flush to the trunk, leaving a small visible stub. Jagged cuts can damage the plant more than a neat slice.

For those facing numerous pruning jobs, patience is key - it could take one or two years. Rebecca issued a warning: "Don't cut off a large portion of the tree at once. This can send the plant into shock and kill it.

"Instead, cut a few branches one year, then wait until the next year or the year after that to cut the rest of the branches. This gives the plant plenty of time to recover from the first pruning, avoids killing it and allows it to easily handle another pruning the following year."

The basic rule, even on neglected older trees, is to remove no more than 30 per cent of the plant in any year. Make slow, deliberate cuts as you evaluate your progress. Step back regularly when Japanese maple trimming.

This will enable gardeners to view the entire tree and plan the next cut to preserve and enhance the natural shape of the plant.

For those green-fingered enthusiasts who are apprehensive about pruning their cherished Japanese maple or reluctant to plant one due to potential high maintenance, Rebecca reassured: "You can rest assured that these are generally easy to grow, low-maintenance plants.

"The Japanese maple rewards you with stunning colour, distinct growth patterns, and the perfect centrepiece for your landscape design."

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