Simply put, pruning Japanese maples brings me joy. Whether a full-grown specimen (Did you know? – Japanese maples can reach 50 feet in height and grow for over 100 years.) or a miniature laceleaf variety, these trees have a natural aesthetic that fits almost any garden. Their structure allows them to be pruned easily. Their leaf color varies from soft green to vibrant reds and orange in the fall. Some popular varieties have stunning bark color, whereas others have colored samara. (Did you know? – The seeds of maple trees are called samara.)

Some of my memorable times pruning Japanese maple trees are when I crawl under the dense canopy of a Japanese laceleaf maple. I start with removing dead branches, which are easily identified by their gray color. I then look for well-structured branches to keep and prune smaller ones that highlight interesting parts of the tree. I often hum quietly while developing a well-spaced and architecturally pleasing work of art like the Japanese maple.

Do you also enjoy pruning your Japanese maple tree?

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