And it looks as if someone dusted powder over them. Try pruning your maple about twice a yearonce in winter and once in summer, preferably. So that your Japanese maples can get all the nutrition they need and get strong. Put on sunscreen to protect your skin against the sun's UV rays. You can prune Japanese maple in the late fall, early winter, or late winter. If it doesnt work then you can try to slightly change the amount of the ingredients. Section off the tip of the maple tree, just below a spot where a leaf meets the stem (AKA leaf node), at a 45-degree angle. 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Monique is a Certified Permaculture Designer. Were committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Cut down the tree, but leave the stump at least 3 or 4 feet tall. Step 3: Cut off any low-hanging branches that shield the trunk. Then you can wash the remaining sooty mold off your tree with a strong stream of soapy water. But the most common fungus that attacks the Japanese maples is. If growing Japanese maple trees in pots, feed them every spring with slow-release fertilizer, and keep the soil moist but not overly wet. You see, if you dont start to treat your Japanese maple right away, it will soon be a disaster. Prune it to establish its shape or to maintain a shape. Expert Source ", Unlock premium answers by supporting wikiHow, http://www.finegardening.com/article/pruning-japanese-maples, http://www.japanesemaplesonline.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/home.showpage/pageID/8/index.htm, http://www.oregonlive.com/hg/index.ssf/2009/01/how_to_prune_a_japanese_maple.html, https://gardenerdy.com/pruning-japanese-maple-trees, http://www.carryongardening.org.uk/shop/pruning-9acf4610/default.aspx, https://content.statefundca.com/safety/safetymeeting/SafetyMeetingArticle.aspx?ArticleID=97, https://www.thehandymansdaughter.com/prune-japanese-maple-trees/, http://www.treeremoval.com/trimming-and-pruning/how-and-when-to-prune-a-japanese-maple-tree/#.WtAd1OjOW3A, https://www.seattletimes.com/pacific-nw-magazine/its-time-to-thin-your-japanese-laceleaf-maple-tree-just-dont-go-crazy-with-the-pruning-shears/, https://hortnews.extension.iastate.edu/2009/3-11/transplanting.html, https://www.bonsaiempire.com/tree-species/maple, http://www.bonsaitreegardener.net/types/japanese-maple. Thank you! You can follow the same control measure for eliminating the other fungal problems that occur in your Japanese maples like verticillium wilt, anthracnose, and many other diseases. However, pruning in the spring may not give you the best results since the tree will produce new growth and will be flowing with sap. Do this with your foot but take care not to damage the roots. However, if you want to create an airy look, thin out branches over time; to create a canopy, remove lower limbs. If it seems severely ill or weak, nurture the plant to better health before pruning. [1] When Japanese maples are untrimmed, they form a shrub-like look. Powdery mildew is caused by a fungus that attacks the Japanese maples very frequently. Take a cutting of the same diameter from the cultivar plant, intending to fit the two together. When you put the tree into the hole, it should sit slightly above the soil line. The fourth and final step is to give the branches an even thinning. Most Japanese maples look more appealing as a multi-stemmed tree, but it's fine to grow it with a single leader. Fertilizer. When to Prune Japanese Maples. 1. Japanese maple trees can also grow in poor soil, but growth will be slower, and it can lead to the tree getting stressed out. 22 September 2020. There are few rules on how to prune a Japanese maple. Whichever type of Japanese maple you have, light trimming under the branches for access is recommended since the branches droop as the plant matures, and weighty limbs can grow too low and even put stress on the rest of the tree. Property damage may result. Should I cut the lower branches of a Japanese maple? As a result, the trunk gets white powdery patches all over the surface and the tree looks very ugly and unattractive. Use a mattock for cutting through roots up to 1 1/2 inches in diameter and use an axe to cut through larger roots. Winter is an excellent time to prune any tree, especially Japanese Maples. In very cold winters, the trees will benefit from the pots being wrapped with bubble wrap. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. Also, if you find any branch that doesnt curve or divide, you can also prune those back. Winter is an excellent time to prune any tree, especially Japanese Maples. Pruning will only increase the stress experienced by the tree. You always want to start by cleaning your tools with a solution of 90% alcohol or higher or a solution of bleach and water. dissectum 'Inaba-shidare'. Use organic materials such as pine bark or compost. There are two significant Japanese maple trees: Laceleaf and upright maple. 4. But when the winter season arrives, the cool and wet weather can cause various fungal infections on this beautiful tree. You also do not want to use any fertilizer on the transplanted maple. Japanese maples are the kinds of trees that grow well almost everywhere. Create layers or "clouds" of branches and remove ones that are interrupting those layers. How do you prune and shape a Japanese maple tree? Did you know you can get premium answers for this article? Immediately remove the affected leaves and branches by putting them in the polyethylene bags and throwing them in the waste bin. Be sure to pick one thats not going to kill the insects that are beneficial for us, Mix the oil and soap and pour in an airtight bottle, Take 4 tablespoons of the solution and mix with a liter of water, Spray on both sides of your Japanese maple leaves, Make sure the insecticide reaches the underside of the leaves very well, Mix the ingredients and spray in your Japanese maple tree, The neem oil is very effective in killing the pests that cause sooty mold, So keep repeatedly spraying this solution on your tree every week until the sooty mold is eliminated, As a precautionary measure, spray every 2 weeks even after the mold has gone. I personally like rogue branches growing in the wrong direction. These all have to go for obvious reasons. Cut a six- to eight-inch-long section, 1/4-in. Japanese maples are spectacular landscape tree specimens that offer year-round color and interest. Unlike many other trees, Japanese maples are not season-specific. Secondly, you need to prune off the deadwood. Young trees need to have the lowest limbs removed to enhance clearance. Part 1: Prune for a purpose. Place taller plantings nearby if that is the case, to prevent the Japanese maple from receiving too much full sun each day. Soak the cut end and leaf nodes in a mid-strength rooting hormone for about a minute. If you plan to prune in the summer, you must be careful of the temperature. Use your best judgment about your tree's health. Japanese maples arent troublesome at all. You can do this with a large umbrella or shading net. The next step is to prune off the branches that are severely coated by the black mold. Japanese maples (Acer palmatum) are one of the most delicate, fine-textured trees for use as a focal point in the home landscape. This is an option. Begin training the tree when it is two or three years old. Planting a Japanese maple that is in a plastic container. The powdery mildew fungus prefers warm days and cold nights with a temperature around 68 to 86F. Pruning can take up to several hours. Sign up for wikiHow's weekly email newsletter. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/3\/36\/Prune-Japanese-Maple-Trees-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Prune-Japanese-Maple-Trees-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/3\/36\/Prune-Japanese-Maple-Trees-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/aid2334080-v4-728px-Prune-Japanese-Maple-Trees-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"