Background of red acer leaves in park.
QI have an Acer in the garden that has been quite happy until the last 12-18 months. Do they need trimming or pruning? It seems to be sparse in places and spindly in others. It has not had a lot of leaves this year. Any advice would be great!
Shona
AAcers will respond very well to pruning. It is best to prune whilst the tree is dormant, so December to February would be an ideal time of year.
Make sure to prune back to a bud – this means cutting just above the bud. If you leave any excess wood above the bud, the dieback could become diseased.
Simply prune the acer tree to the shape that you want it to be. As always with pruning trees, take out any dead, damaged or diseased wood, and any branches that cross over or are growing in the wrong direction.
If you have a smaller Japanese acer, sometimes the branches can get congested towards the centre of the tree. If so, you may also want to open it up to allow light and air movement through the tree. To do this, cut back a few of the older branches right back to the main trunk.
David Domoney is a Chartered Horticulturalist, Broadcaster, and Author. David has worked with a number of the UK’s leading garden retailers as a plant buyer and strategic consultant. With more than 30 years experience, in horticulture, David is as passionate about plants now as he was when he bought his first plant at a village fete.
I have a huge weeping willow in my backyard that was totally fine next to our house until a few months ago. Now the branches are touching the house and it is worrying me that it is too close. The tree is so dang big that I don’t want to even attempt to trim it. Are there companies that I can hire to come trim a huge tree like that?
Hi Chase, You can contact a local tree surgeon. Always check they are approved, try this website: http://www.trees.org.uk/Directory-of-Tree-Surgeons They also have consultants who will come and advise you on your specific case. Hope that helps. David
My wife and I have an Acer tree in our yard as well. I’m glad that I read this article, and the timing of it was perfect since we are one day away from December. I will make sure to prune the tree while it is dormant. Thanks for the information!
I was always told you can’t prune them so thank you I will now do this Dec-Feb
I learned today about pruning my acer bril news
I have successfully pruned my “Boskoop Glory” Acer tree in the winter. It responded very well. I am in zone 5A, but the tree is growing in a more protected place, and in only partial sun. A wonderful tree to grow.
Was really worried about my acia got answers on your site
So very pleased I have found this article my acer has really grown so much this year and needs pruning, now I know how to do it – thank you
Thankyou for this advice I am going to prune my acer as like u say its vert space in places fingers crossed it works
Very useful information thankyou
Very useful information. I will prune my acer between Dec.and Feb. Wasn’t sure when to do it. Thanks
Thank you so much for sharing this Acer information. I was also told that Acers shouldn’t be pruned, so I’m happy to find that I was told wrong which in all honesty I did suspect I had.
Hi , I have a acer which has grown to 9 ft in height and is spreading very quickly, when is the best time to prune and how should I go about it .
My large Acer tree is very woody inside. The leaves mainly shoot from halfway down the branches Can I cut it back very hard or will the tree die. When is the best time to prune it, as I have noticed that the small shoots are starting to emerge already Really need some help Jan
Hello I have a acer it has it has lots of leaves but also some dead branches, can I cut of the dead ones while the tree is in leave.
So pleased . My timing for this info , is spot on . The leaves are almost off my bush revealing its skeleton
And it’s nice and dry thrilled to go out there and knock it into shape .
Many thanks
Thanking you for this information on pruning Acer bushes . The leaves are l almost gone now reviling
It’s skeleton . Slowing me to see clearly how to reshape it
Many thanks