Need some pruning advise on a japanese maple

8 years ago

Hi all - been reading the forums a bit but first time posting.

I want to get some ideas on shaping my relatively young butterfly japanese maple - first winter after planting the tree it lost the leader branch - not sure if it was fungal but after removing that stem (1" at the time) the tree is recovering - i let it recover without pruning other than removing the dead branch.

Tree now seems to be recovering well and this growing season it has put out lots of little twigs 1-2 fts long (like a butterfly jm would) but ALL of them were on one side of the tree - imagine a capital alphabet Y without the right prong on top.

Is there any way to help the tree get more balance?

I've read in bonsais about trunk chopping in spring but i don't know if this works in the landscape...

Featured Answer

mblan13

8 years ago

I would let it grow unpruned for another year to

strengthen the tree. Eventually I would cut all but the first branch on the 3 branch stub sticking out at left. Wire the remaining branch to be the new leader. Then shape over the next few years. There is a good chance it will never look right, but if you learn a little on bonsai, you will learn how to redirect the energy and growth of a tree. I would probably keep the foliage low to hide the stump.

It looks like the new growth may be coming from the rootstock? Does the foliage look the same?

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Comments (6)

stuartlawrence (7b L.I. NY)
8 years ago
Can you post a photo?
gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
8 years ago
I agree 100% - can't possibly give decent pruning advice without seeing the tree.
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Andy F
Original Author
8 years ago

Sry been trying to wait for a brighter day to take a photo.. been quite gloomy and photos don't come out clear

notice the dead main leader branch on the left

thanks!
gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
8 years ago
That is a bit of a tricky situation and I doubt any pruning is going to significantly change the form of the tree :-( Even with training the most vertically growing branch on the right side you will never develop a real leader or primary apical growing point so the tree will continue to remain very short and shrubby looking.

What I would do is cut down the remaining trunk (dead portion) just above where the healthy branch emerges on the right. If given sufficient light exposure, you should get some branch/stem development towards the left side but it may take some time. Wait until the tree is dormant (all leaves have dropped and at least one hard frost) but before February when the sap starts running to do your pruning.
Andy F
Original Author
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
right- thx for the notes

no the foliage are still butterfly - small variegated with a hint of pink when new - but there is one small branch high up in the new growth that's completely green that i'm trimmed off, size and shape is still very similar but all dark green - not sure why but didn't bother me...yet