How to Prune a Weeping Japanese Maple

It is important to properly prune a weeping Japanese maple for many reasons. Correct pruning will not only keep your maple beautiful but it will also prevent disease from infecting your tree. For best results, only prune a weeping Japanese maple during the early springtime, unless your tree experiences damage or disease that make immediate pruning necessary.

Pruning shears

Pruning loppers

The types of cuts you make on your weeping Japanese maple are important. Proper cuts should be flush to the trunk and just outside of the branch collar. This will help your Japanese maple heal properly and limits the possibility of a disease infecting your tree.

There are a couple of different ways to prune a weeping Japanese maple. First you must determine the style that you desire. Some people prefer to have a mounded style of weeping Japanese maple and some prefer to expose the branching and show off the twisting structure of the tree.

The easiest weeping Japanese maple style is the mounded style. Prune the outer branches along the bottom to keep them off of the ground. Prune out any branches that branch straight up off of a weeping branch. Prune out any branches that don't fit the natural flow of the tree. You want your Japanese maple to look like a symmetrical waterfall.

The exposed branch style is a little more difficult to create than the mounding style of Japanese maple but it is well worth the effort. If you decide to expose the branches on the Japanese maple, you should start by looking at your tree from all angles. Prune out any branches that cross over one another and any branches that branch straight up off of a weeping branch. You want to have the branches come off the side of the main branches. Prune out any branches that don't fit the natural flow of the tree.

Take your time and do not butcher your Japanese Maple

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