Pruning Japanese Maple?

GreenHorn

Hi - Sorry for the new thread, but nothing specific to pruning Japanese Maple out there. I'm a newbie and addicted to your forum! I have learned so much about pruning, BBR, CDL w/bark inclusion, etc.! But I'm still a green horn.

Point:

This tree's lower branch is obvious and I wonder should I cut it or leave it? I just want the best for this pretty little maple. Note some evidence of bark inclusion? Is this a bad weak spot - or will cutting this be risky?

Thanks! I'll be bothering you about a sappling monkey puzzle a little later - then a willow grown from a sally graft. And don't worry...I'm working on digging out that weed and spreading horseraddish! We inherrited this garden as is.

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Brent Ferris

I think removing the lower limb will just disfigure the crown. No doubt others won't agree. Japanese maple do not normally grow high (about 30 ft max in Ontario) nor all that wide here -- may be 30-40 feet. I expect Ireland has a similar climate to Ontario -- just not as cold, nor cold for long.

GreenHorn

Thanks. I'll keep an eye out for any dissenting opinions. It is very much secondary to the main of the crown and the brances on the leader are already headed that direction. A good cut will leave substantial enough surface area exposed though and I don't want to injure it.

BTW - I'm not a butcher (like in the "What's wrong with this picture" thread). That stump behind it is a dead yucca tree. You'd normally be right about our climate, but last winter was the worst in 40 years. Yucca trees are as common as briars here and they're all dead. Our other one survived for 25 years. Not this winter! They're now cat scratching poles for the moment. That is a green gage behind it. I didn't kill that either. Good example of what bad pruning does. Lopped lower brances by the previous owner (Family!) resulted in substantial rot back through to the trunk. It's in death throws throwing plums for the first times in years. I'm going to see if I can trick some of the pits out of dormancy and replace it!

jmcg.insight.gardens

I agree with Treeshaveneeds, it will just disfigure the tree and make it look lopsided, leave it. Give it time to mature more.

Regards Julie