Japenese Maple Trees?

Question

Do I need to trim dead branches from my Japanese Maple caused from late Spring frost?

Answer 1

Pruning of all maple trees, including acer japonicum, is best done when the sap has finished running,(healthy leaves are fully out), or when the tree is dormant, (in winter). However to properly see which branches are not living, you will need the tree in leaf.

If your tree has branches not leafing out, check the bud union, (the spot where the leaf should meet the bark of the tree), if you see another bud coming in....then the branch is simply producing new buds.

If you have many branches without leaves, but they are pliant, (bend them gently, and if they give, there is life in the branch), you're best bet is to wait. Pruning a tree is not a great idea until you allow it to recover.

Later in the summer, if you have whitish/Grey looking branches and they are not pliant, you may remove them. Be sure to use sharp, sterile pruners for small branches, and a pruning saw for larger branches...not loppers or scissors.

When you make cuts on small branches, you want to make the cut at a slight angle, (say 30 degrees), away from the branch.

Pruning is an art, and will have a major impact on the attractiveness of your tree. I suggest you research it and/or consult with an educated gardener.

If you decide to do this yourself, I recommend the following books:

'The Pruning of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers' George E. Brown (timberpress)

and Lee Reich's book on pruning

Whatever you do, be sure not to tear or break branches off, as this will invite disease and cause the callous process to move more slowly, (trees callous over...they don't technically heal).

If you love Japanese Maples, Trees book on Japanese Maples from timber press is amazing.

Good luck. This is my favorite tree.

Answer 2

No, I would not trim the dead branches.

This is not necessary and can actually lead to more die off as branches will die back from a cut if you cut into living wood.

If you do choose to remove the dead branches, do not remove the entire dead part, but leave several iches of dead wood and wait until the end of summer or fall before you do it.

Especially since they may not actually be dead yet and may bud out if given time. I have a Japanese maple that lost all its buds in march and is just now forming new buds, but still has no leaves and I expect it to recover.

The dead branches will break off themselves, so as long as its not a large tree,I would leave it be.

Good Luck!!

Answer 3

Make sure the limbs are dead first. They will fool you and look dead, but aren't. Also call a local landscaping company and ask them if you are suppose to trim them in warm weather or not. Some of them should not be trimmed in warm weather. You must wait until cool weather when the sap is down to trim them. If you trim them at the wrong time you could damage or kill the tree. Good luck.

Answer 4

Give them some time to make sure they're completely dead, but yes, eventually you'll need to trim them out.