Maple trees contain sap, which will "bleed" if the tree is pruned in early spring or late winter. The red maple can grow up to 2 feet in a year and it is considered as the fastest growing, therefore, you should consider trimming and shaping the red maple. Study your tree. The age at which we prune our Japanese maple is more important to us than what time of year we prune it. If your tree is young, do little pruning. This maple tree guide will teach you exactly how and when to prune maple trees. When to Prune Maple Trees and How to Do It Right. But dead limbs can cause a safety issue if they were to fall, so it is best to take care of them when you notice them. How and when should I prune a sapling red maple just planted this week which is about 1 year old and 4 ft tall? By pruning, you can direct growth habits and influence the structure of the tree as it grows. Next, prune off dead wood — that is, any dead twigs or brittle branches that no longer grow foliage. Always prune trees in the winter, during dormancy. You can also prune in the summer if you want to slow the growth of certain branches. Pruning a red maple tree (or any other type of maple tree) isn’t a difficult job, but it does take some time. This makes it look as if the tree is suffering. Really heavy or severe pruning of any plant is best done when the plant is completely dormant. Maples grow very rapidly and a tree that looks great in early spring can be completely out of shape a week later. The field maple tree is the only maple tree to be native to the UK. Pruning a Maple tree to stay "small" Asked September 16, 2016, 4:23 AM EDT. They can even put you and your family at risk. You can avoid this issue if you wait until summer to prune maples. Pruning a maple tree clears out space around the branches. Some cultivars reach heights of 75 feet, but most are a very manageable 35 to 45 ft. tall shade tree that works well in most situations. This means a lot of sap will flow out of any cut you make in the tree. But this doesn’t actually hurt the tree. Proper pruning alters the form and growth of a tree. A pruned tree looks much nicer than tall, bushy branches. The red maple tree, native to North America, is found in USDA Plant Hardiness Zones 3 to 8. When pruning this tree, focus on thinning the crown to allow more air and light to penetrate the upper branches, and removing any dead or diseased branches. This improves the airflow and the amount of sunlight the tree gets during the day. Some suggest light spring pruning, especially if you want to create the healthiest branches for your tree. Pruning maple trees during the dormant season will help your trees with new growth in the spring when they bloom. Begin training the tree when it is two or three years old. Its important to learn how to prune maple trees and to … Designed and Developed by Wassup Mate, @2019 - All Right Reserved. Removing of dead wood and leaves along with light pruning can be done anytime of the year. Hello, A tree this young should need little to no pruning. If the tree is just a sapling, however, loss of sap may cause problems. Pruning a red maple tree (or any other type of maple tree) isn’t a difficult job, but it does take some time. The thicker the branch, the more likely you should leave it be. We snip the tops off to encourage multiple branching. Also, I am encouraging a few upward branches to increase the height. We don’t prune our young Japanese red maple seedlings until they are about 2 years old. Remove any limbs that are rubbing against each other or are too close. It is important to prune your maple true. The species’ tendency to lose sap from wounds makes gardeners question the wisdom of pruning maple trees. Asked September 12, 2016, 11:59 AM EDT. However, maple tree pruning in winter generally won’t hurt a mature tree. When you chop, you should also cut at least a foot away from the main truck. Opening the branching has also revealed an intricate and curving branching pattern. Assessing Your Tree’s Shape. Sharp Angles. Prune After Leaves Develop. A maple tree is a beautiful addition to any yard… but if you don’t take care of it, the branches can get large and unruly fast. Find more gardening information on Gardening Know How: Keep up to date with all that's happening in and around the garden. This prevents certain types of diseases. ©2013BDG Any farther away won’t give you the desired effect. A maple tree that gets pruned will sprout more blooms and fruits. Pruning isn’t just an annoying chore. You may want to contact Sesmas Tree Service f for efficient trimming and pruning of your red maple tree. Removing too many branches can make your tree look a little sickly. It’s a good idea to have someone there to help you and hold the ladder to prevent it from falling. The Norway maple will tolerate a diversity of soil conditions and a soil pH anywhere from 4 to 7.5. Step 3. They’ll be able to give you some advice, or if you prefer, you can hire a professional to take care of the job for you. For the most part, I prune mine anytime they need it and that often ends up being the dead of summer. If they seem like they’re starting to die, go ahead and get rid of them, too. 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You should also examine the branches closely. Maple, walnuts, and birch trees may bleed when the sap begins to flow. In late winter, when the days are warm and the nights are cold, root pressure causes sap to flow from any wound made in the bark of the tree. The tree in the backyard that blazes with red, orange and yellow foliage in autumn is most likely a maple. In addition, make sure to prune away all the dead branches and foliage attached to the tree. However, there are a few things to consider about how the different seasons will affect your tree. The first is to prune off lower limbs that crowd other low-growing shrubs or possibly impede a walkway. Winter pruning is also great for arborists as the harder ground provides them easier access to trees and the bare canopy makes branches easier to see and handle. Sign up to get all the latest gardening tips! Expert insight into the best time to prune a maple tree; why maple tree pruning is important, and how to identify common maple tree diseases. This is done to shape the tree, and get rid of any defective or dead branches. Prune the tree in late spring. The species tendency to lose sap from wounds makes gardeners question the wisdom of pruning maple trees. During the beginning of summer, your maple tree will be growing new buds. Pruning a Japanese maple tree is not necessarily difficult, but may be intimidating at first — particularly for a weeping or “laceleaf” cultivar (Acer palmatum Var. If your tree is large, you may need a ladder to cut the top branches. Pruning does not have to be limited to dormant phases of the tree's life, however. If you aren’t sure what your tree should look like after you’re done pruning, you can get in touch with a professional. Make sure you take a look at the rest of our blog! In fact, pruning your tree can even increase the curb appeal of your home, which can increase the property value. The red maple (Acer rubrum) is one of the most common, and popular, deciduous trees in much of the eastern and central U.S.It has a pleasing oval shape and is a fast grower with stronger wood than most of the so-called soft maples. I have just planted a Crimson Maple tree about 4 1/2 feet from the corner of the house (I was replacing a dead tree and planted the new Maple in the hole left by the old tree). Determine what branches to prune. If a heavy wind blows through or a storm rolls up, the tree might start dropping these weakened branches. Prune "Red Sunset" maple trees in late winter before buds break or in early summer after the tree has flowered and is in full leaf display. Otherwise, decay-producing fungi can infect healthy parts of the trees. You would have to remove an entire limb for the loss of sap to negatively impact a fully grown tree. dissectum).We might perceive it as fragile and delicate, and we’re afraid to mess up its natural beauty through improper pruning. The time when you prune red maple trees is the same as any maple tree; mid-summer or in the fully dormant state just before the sap starts to run. Before you get started, make sure you have all the necessary tools and safety equipment. If you don’t want to deal with sticky sap while you’re trying to work, you should wait to prune until the end of summer. Here are some of the most important reasons to prune your maple tree. Pruned in fall after the leaves have dropped or in early spring, before the sap starts to flow (March). When you are pruning maple trees, it is always a good idea to remove broken, diseased or dead branches. If your tree is large, you may need a ladder to cut the top branches. You don’t want to accidentally remove any main branches. 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