This is a common problem. People buy Japanese maples thinking they will remain cute, adorable little trees and they eventually outgrow the spaces where they're planted. Width is usually the problem with laceleaf maples, as most grow wider than tall.

You could do some small pruning now, but I would wait until fall, winter or very early spring to do any heavy pruning. Right now, you might be able to train some of the newer growth by staking or tying off branches so they grow more upright or in a more favorable direction.

Another thing you might consider is moving the tree, but I would definitely wait until late fall or winter to do that. Japanese maples transplant well if you do it carefully and at the right time. I have a 15-year-old Crimson Queen that I have moved about four times and it's handled all of the moves with no problems.

Thanks dawgie - that's just the info we were looking for. Thanks for taking the time to respond and help us out.

Not knowing how old or large you tree is ...this may be a mute point ...but if you keep it there you might want to stake it and train it higher ..it may not solve all of your probs..but it may give you a bit more upright and unusual tree..I have been doing that to several of my disectums so they grow UP a bit ...you can use a bamboo pole or dowlel rod of descent size ...find top branch thats not to curvy and tie UP to it with plastic tie tape or bread tie offs or cloth strips ...be sure to not make it too tight if you use bread ties ...or check off and on to see it isn't cutting the branch.... as i said it might be too late but prob. worth a try and it will give you a more atypical tree that doesn't look like everyone elses mushrooms!!! David

Thanks, David. That's another wonderful idea. We're not sure how old the tree is exactly - it could be anywhere from 1-4 years old. It's probably about 4.5 -5 ft tall and about the same in width. I think we will start with ties and see what happens so we can make it through the summer. Thanks for your help and everyone else's - we may end up trying several of these suggestions. ladybug