Pruning a Japanese Maple
Laura
Posted: Sep-05-2005 at 7:20pm
I got carried away and trimmed away 60-70% of my tree. (Granted it had not been trimmed for at least a year.) I am very upset at waht I have done. Is there anyway to save my tree. It is 25 years old and it is beautiful. Could I use superthrive? Any ideas? Living in Oregon I hope I have a month of nice weather left.
JeanneK
Posted: Sep-06-2005 at 9:50am
My sympathies, Laura. We should have at least another two monthes of mild weather, unless you live in Eastern Oregon. Keep it well watered and it should be fine. No worries. Next year, you might want to hire an arborist if the new growth is a bit unruly. Also, take it easy with those clippers! LOL.
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Jeanne
Lisa A
Posted: Sep-06-2005 at 10:50am
Yes, take it easy with the clippers! The rule of thumb is to never prune more than 20%-25% of a tree. I don't know what Superthrive is but I wouldn't do more than Jeanne already suggested - keep it well watered. The poor thing will likely be in shock and the last thing it needs is some super duper fertilizing.
Ditto Jeanne's suggestion for an arborist for next year to help with the regrowth. You'll likely get a lot of water sprouts (the straight upward brances) that you'll need to address in order to get the tree to grow strong and healthy.
I'd also recommend Cass Turnbull's Guide to Pruning: What, When, Where, and How to Prune for a More Beautiful Garden. You can read more about this book on Rainy Side's book shelf (about 1/4 way down the page).
Out of curiosity: What kind of tree is it?
Good luck.
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Gardening in Sunset Zone 6, USDA Zone 8.
Laura
Posted: Sep-06-2005 at 11:01am
It is a Lace leaf Japanese maple that is about 25 years old.
Lisa A
Posted: Sep-06-2005 at 11:07am
Oh, duh, you told me what kind it was in your subject line. My poor ol' brain hasn't come back from the holiday weekend, I guess.
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Gardening in Sunset Zone 6, USDA Zone 8.
Laura
Posted: Sep-06-2005 at 12:20pm
Thanks for the info!
mdvaden
Posted: Sep-17-2005 at 9:32pm
If that heavy pruning caused previously shaded bark to become exposed to hot sunshine, consider protecting the bark until new growth regenerates shade. I use a wrap of screen like soft window screen material; single or double wrapped.
That's IF that happened.
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M.D. Vaden
Lisa A
Posted: Sep-18-2005 at 10:55am
I would never have thought of using soft window screen as a bark protector. That's a great tip, MD! Thanks.
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Gardening in Sunset Zone 6, USDA Zone 8.
mdvaden
Posted: Sep-18-2005 at 6:37pm
One of my first new projects in Medford was thinning some new trees for a guy, and when we removed the solid white corrugated wrap, dozens of bugs and crud fell out. It also allowed no light in.
The window screen breaths, shades, allows some light for slow acclimatizing, and also does not get hot even though it's dark (since the material is so thin).
That's the job I got my first referral from already.
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M.D. Vaden
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