When to Prune Maples?
- Best Time for Pruning: The ideal times to prune maples are either just after the leaves have sprouted (to avoid excessive sap flow) or in August. Pruning in early spring before the sap rises or in the summer minimizes sap leakage.
- Avoid Winter Pruning: Avoid pruning maples in winter, as it can cause excessive sap loss.
- Sap Flow: When pruned in late winter or early spring, maples may « bleed, » meaning water and nutrients flow from the tree. This isn’t harmful but can be messy.
Pruning Maple Trees
- Large Maple Trees (e.g., Norway Maple and Sycamore Maple): These trees are popular in gardens but can grow very large (20-30 meters). To prune, remove dead, crossing, or disruptive branches and thin the crown if needed.
- Correct Pruning: Avoid cutting branches at a specific height, as this can lead to dense growth with thin shoots. Always prune branches back to their base to encourage healthier growth.
Pruning Ornamental Maples
- Japanese Maple (Acer palmatum): Prune dead branches directly at the base. You can shape the tree, but avoid cutting into older wood, as recovery takes longer.
- Fire Maple (Acer ginnala): Exceptionally tolerant of pruning; you can cut even into older wood.
- Other Ornamental Maples: Prune as needed during the growing season, but avoid pruning during the dormant period.
Pruning Maple Hedges
- Field Maple for Hedges: This variety is commonly used for hedges because it is heat-tolerant, frost-resistant, and bird-friendly. Prune twice a year (in June and August) to maintain the hedge’s shape.
- Late Winter Pruning: If you miss the regular pruning periods, you can prune in late winter, but only as a last resort to rejuvenate the hedge.
Important Tips for All Maple Pruning:
- Cutting Technique: Use clean, sharp tools and minimize the size of cuts to prevent pests and fungi from entering the tree.
- Sap Leakage: To avoid excessive sap flow, prune after the buds have sprouted or in late summer when the tree is preparing for dormancy.