Mattbonsai

Hi,

I have several Japanese Maples AKA Acer Palmatum ( I also Have an A. Dissectum). I've read the best time to prune them is within a week of the foliage falling in the Autumn, is this true, and absolutely necessary? or will I get away with doing it in the Spring?

-Matt-

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centaura

I was doing reading on when to prune japanese maples, and I kept coming up with the reference of excessive bleeding when pruned. The fall pruning time was reccomended since sap flow is diminishing, and not flowing as heavily as spring when active growth is happening. I pruned my new japanese maple last fall, after the leaves had turned color, and sealed off the cuts. I did not see any bleeding from the cuts and think I am going to be good. I will see how the tree has faired come this spring.

-Centaura

Apathetik

I have several Jap Maples, although I haven't had them for long, I can tell you that from the spring through mid/late june they are very sappy. I tried to do a little wiring on one in may and the bark turn to mush very quickly.

Fortunately, I did this as a test one a portion of the tree I was planning on removing in the fall, which is now gone. There was considerable bleeding for several weeks, however, the tree did not seem to suffer terribly and due to the nature of the destruction, I wasn't able to seal it with the compound that I have.

I think that minor trimming could be tolerated and bleeding controlled but I personally wouldn't try nor suggest more than a few clippings. Defiantly wouldn't do any wiring.

I hope that my experiences help you.

Shady Side Bonsai

Matt, Depends on what your trying to accomplish when pruning. Pruning in the winter will benefit you several ways. The callous for your pruned area will be thinner and not as bulbous as it will heal slowly over winter and into spring. Versus a spring cut were the growth is rapid and the callouses tend to be a bit thicker and rounder. While pruning in the winter helps keep sap loss to a minimum. Pruning in the spring when the meristem hormone is at its highest will benefit you with a profusion of back budding, vs. a milder back bud from a winter prune. A personal note here. I have yet to see a tree bleed out from a spring prune. In fact when using cut paste there is virtually none.

So the choice boils done to Winter pruning for structural design or Spring pruning for ramification

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Cheers,
Tom
Shady Side Bonsai
Bonsai Vault
4MAAT

Mattbonsai

Cheers,

I did some heavy formative pruning just after leaf drop this year on most of my Acers, but studying them for longer without leaves i've noticed that theres some more that I want to get rid of, but alot of it is quite heavy growth, so I'll have to wait until next autumn then.

cheers,

-Matt-

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Shady Side Bonsai

No, you could get away with doing it before. Just make sure of a couple of things. That if you do it now or before the buds begin to swell. That you use cut paste, and that the tree is well protected. Heavy pruning and a cold drying wind are bad bed fellows.

I have done before as I suggested. Obviously not the most preferable time, but it will work with proper precautions and be effective. However if your not in a rush and can wait, autumn would be ideal.

__________________
Cheers,
Tom
Shady Side Bonsai
Bonsai Vault
4MAAT

Mattbonsai

I think i'll wait, it means I can have to year to develop the other branches and do it in two stages, so while one part of the tree is being left to grow, I can have something to play with on the other half.

cheers,

-Matt-

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Michel

Hi,

No; early to mid winter is the best time to prune them:
where most of us live (Northern hemisphere) = RIGHT NOW.

Latest in early january they must all be done,
coz' if later, sap stream will already - slowly - have restarted.

1 precaution though: When pruning, allways leave a stub
on whatever You prune, leaving a safety zone for dry in
and die back, and large wounds need to be covered.

Greetz,

Michel

shaggybirdman

i want to do a trunk chop on a j red maple, and 2 bloodgoods. is it a good time now, or wait till fall? i'd really like to get some new growth going this year. i'll post some pics of the 3. all have stupendous grafts.

centaura

It depends on the species. I have one japanese maple that's done growing for the year, and others that are sending out a few new shoots. I still recommend waiting until fall or winter time to do your cuts, to keep bleeding down. You can try pruning one of your trees now, as an experiment, if you want to see how it reacts. But I don't recommend it.

-Centaura