Hi there,

I have a Japanese Maple in a pot, which got rather damaged due to wind burn
last summer. I've since moved the pot to a more sheltered position and
repotted it, but I'd also like to give the plant a light prune to get it
back into shape. Any thoughts about when might be the best time - now, when
drmant. or in spring?

Tristan Hatton-Ellis

Tristan. If your maple is Acer palmatum you really shouldn't prune it, ever!
You will do it more harm than good. A. palmatums in particular are very
prone to leaf scorch by the sun. Always keep your tree in the shade,
especially during the hottest part of the summer. Don't worry about the
damaged leaves this year, your plant will recover.

'Mungo'
----------------------------------------
"Tristan Hatton-Ellis" wrote in message:
I have a Japanese Maple in a pot, which got rather damaged due to wind
burn
last summer. I'd also like to give the plant a light prune to get it
back into shape. Any thoughts about when might be the best time - now,
when
drmant. or in spring?

On 29/9/02 1:23 pm, in article
, "'Mungo'"
wrote:

Tristan. If your maple is Acer palmatum you really shouldn't prune it, ever!
You will do it more harm than good. A. palmatums in particular are very
prone to leaf scorch by the sun. Always keep your tree in the shade,
especially during the hottest part of the summer. Don't worry about the
damaged leaves this year, your plant will recover.

'Mungo'
----------------------------------------
"Tristan Hatton-Ellis" wrote in message:
I have a Japanese Maple in a pot, which got rather damaged due to wind
burn
last summer. I'd also like to give the plant a light prune to get it
back into shape. Any thoughts about when might be the best time - now,
when
drmant. or in spring?



Mungo,

Thanks for the advice. It is indeed Acer palmatum. The leaf scorch actually
occurred last summer and resulted in a bit of dieback at the tips as well.
It has recovered well this year but there are one or two dead branches and
the tree as a whole has a rather unattractive shape (unusual in A.
palmatum). I was really just thinking along the lines of a light prune to
encourage bushy growth, not a wholesale hack back!

I should also say that the tree is still quite young (about 3' high)

Tristan

" Thanks for the advice. It is indeed Acer palmatum. The leaf scorch
actually
occurred last summer and resulted in a bit of dieback at the tips as well.
It has recovered well this year but there are one or two dead branches and
the tree as a whole has a rather unattractive shape (unusual in A.
palmatum). I was really just thinking along the lines of a light prune to
encourage bushy growth, not a wholesale hack back!

I should also say that the tree is still quite young (about 3' high)

I bought my Acer palmatum very cheap, about this time of year, because it
was looking very sorry for itself. I gave it a light pruning and it looked
great the following year.

I'd say, go with instinct. Only prune out what is absolutely necessary to
make an attractive shape.

Natalie

"Tristan Hatton-Ellis" wrote in message
...
: On 29/9/02 1:23 pm, in article
: , "'Mungo'"
: wrote:
:
: Tristan. If your maple is Acer palmatum you really shouldn't prune it,
ever!
: You will do it more harm than good. A. palmatums in particular are very
: prone to leaf scorch by the sun. Always keep your tree in the shade,
: especially during the hottest part of the summer. Don't worry about the
: damaged leaves this year, your plant will recover.
:
: 'Mungo'
: ----------------------------------------
: "Tristan Hatton-Ellis" wrote in message:
: I have a Japanese Maple in a pot, which got rather damaged due to wind
: burn
: last summer. I'd also like to give the plant a light prune to get it
: back into shape. Any thoughts about when might be the best time - now,
: when
: drmant. or in spring?
:
:
:
: Mungo,
:
: Thanks for the advice. It is indeed Acer palmatum. The leaf scorch
actually
: occurred last summer and resulted in a bit of dieback at the tips as well.
: It has recovered well this year but there are one or two dead branches and
: the tree as a whole has a rather unattractive shape (unusual in A.
: palmatum). I was really just thinking along the lines of a light prune to
: encourage bushy growth, not a wholesale hack back!
:
: I should also say that the tree is still quite young (about 3' high)
:
: Tristan
:
When I bought one from a specialist grower, I asked for one that would not
grow too tall. She told me I could always trim off the top, so I'm sure a
light prune won't do any harm. She told me it was the wind that hurt them
more than anything else.

K