Japanese maples will look 'more beautiful' when you prune them at 1 time of the year

Pruning is a crucial task when it comes to caring for Japanese maples, yet many gardeners are left baffled about how to do it properly. Incorrect pruning can "destroy their beautiful shape and foliage", warned gardening expert Jessica Walliser from Savvy Gardening.

By learning the correct way and time to prune these trees, you can enhance their beauty and maintain their health and form. Regardless of the variety of your Japanese maple, the pruning needs, technique, and timing remain the same, assured the expert. To keep the tree healthy and "more beautiful", "properly timed trimming is essential", Jessica advised, offering some straightforward guidelines on when to prune Japanese maples.

She pointed out: "The best time of year to prune any living wood is late autumn to mid-winter (November through to January). I don't prune my Japanese maple any time after January."

Unlike most other deciduous trees that can be pruned during dormancy, maples should not be pruned in late winter. Jessica explained: "If pruning occurs in late winter, the wounds weep sap."

While this won't kill the tree, it could attract insects, and the pruning wounds may stay open longer, increasing the risk of pathogen exposure.

Deciding when to prune Japanese maples can be a bit of a puzzle, especially as spring and summer pruning should be avoided.

The first step is to remove any dead wood, which is often found on the tree's underside.

It's crucial to check the tree's underside, as this is where much of the deadwood tends to accumulate.

If there's new growth on your Japanese maple that doesn't match the rest of its growth, it needs to be pruned off to maintain the tree's unique shape.

The expert warned that side branches extending far from the trunk should only be removed "unless it is absolutely necessary", as they are "much better off growing to their natural form".