The tree in the backyard that blazes with red, orange and yellow foliage in autumn is most likely a maple. Reduces storm damage – Pruning can reduce specific defects or structural problems in a maple tree to greatly lessen the risk of failure. This makes it easier to shape the tree and saves time in clearing the tree of pruned branches that have become lodged. The species tendency to lose sap from wounds makes gardeners question the wisdom of pruning maple trees. [1] X Research source Sap is like a tree's blood, providing it with nutrients and healing wounds. Last fall noticed my maple tree had several branches that did not drop leaves. (On the other hand, dead and diseased wood can always be removed.) Watering trees every week or two during dry weather is recommended. The Amur maple requires the least amount of pruning of all the Acer genus. This spring those branches are dead. The third step is to separate the tree into layers. Fungal disease, like verticillium wilt, can also cause unsightly and potentially fatal branch die-back in Japanese maples. Pruning a maple tree clears out space around the branches. While most trees are supposed to be pruned earlier in the year, that is when the maple tree is pumping sap. Even a healthy Japanese maple, however, whether weeping or upright, can lose a few branches to age, physical damage or sun burn, marring its good looks. Remove Dead Branches First. Cut your 100 foot length of rope in half to create two 50 foot pieces. When pruning this tree, focus on thinning the crown to allow more air and light to penetrate the upper branches, and removing any dead or diseased branches. Dead Wood . Step back as far as you can that would … Make the pruning cuts about 1/4 inch beyond the branch collar – the raised area that forms where a branch joins with a larger branch or the main stem (trunk). These things can keep the tree healthy and prevent certain diseases from developing. Look for old dead branches that appear darker and are brittle with loose bark. Maple trees benefit from annual pruning for shaping, air circulation and tree health. You can also prune in the summer if you want to slow the growth of certain branches. While most trees can be pruned in late winter once frost danger passes, maples tend to bleed if pruned at this time. This improves the airflow and the amount of sunlight the tree gets during the day. Next, prune off dead wood — that is, any dead twigs or brittle branches that no longer grow foliage. Homeowners remove dead branches to make the tree look better and grow stronger. Prune back to healthy wood just above a bud or healthy branch, 3 to 10 inches from the dead area. They also prune hazardous branches which could fall on someone or the roof during a thunderstorm. Tom asked, “My wife and I have a 30-year-old maple tree in our backyard that has been showing signs of stress. And remember to never prune a stressed tree–especially a drought-stressed tree. © Copyright 2020 Hearst Communications, Inc. Plant Japanese maples where they receive morning sun and afternoon shade. The tree should be pruned in winter or early spring. She has a Bachelor of Arts in journalism from Michigan State University, is an avid gardener and volunteers at her local botanical garden. Read on to learn about them. Japanese maples can drop leaves during the growing season when stressed due to over- or under-watering, too much fertilizer or extreme heat. Pruning Upright Trees. A Japanese maple tree (Acer palmatum spp. Wait until the leaves completely develop before pruning a maple tree. The truth is, trees don’t actually heal like we do. Yes, it can help a tree to prune the dead branches as they arise and it will make the tree look so much better and less cluttered looking. Larger branches should be pruned carefully without tearing the … (When pruning diseased branches, dip the pruning blade in a 10 percent bleach solution between each cut to avoid spreading disease.) Assessing Pine and Shade Tree Damage from Drought, University of California Integrated Pest Management Program: Verticillium Wilt, Japanese Maples - Eastwoods Nurseries: Care of Japanese Maples. Do you have any recommendations, or is it too late?” Let’s dive into what may be causing these signs of maple tree stress and dieback. 1. I don’t have any suggestions other than to prune out any dead branches. Choose suitable branches for cutting. Best Time To Trim Maple Trees. I had a tree service do a deep organic fertilizer and the tree looked good this Spring. Look near the bottom and interior of the tree for older branches that have died because they were shaded out. This is how you test to see if a plant, or a branch on a plant has died. Your tree could be hit again, or may never be hit again. The Norway maple will tolerate a diversity of soil conditions and a soil pH anywhere from 4 to 7.5. Amur maple is a small tree that gives big autumn color. The leaves are small, and some of the maple tree branches are dying. Then in June the top died ,I had the same tree service come and remove all of the dead lead branches. How to Cut High Branches From the Ground Step 1 – Cut the Rope. Make a cut to the large branch at least a foot away from the actual trunk making sure that you don’t keep back any stubs of that branch. I was sick over it because there are not many trees that grow on the island. Maple trees are known for their brilliant fall color as well as the ease with which they bleed sap. Pruning for plant health focuses on removing dead, dying and diseased branches, branches that rub together and any branch stubs so the entire tree continues to grow in a healthy way. No way for anyone to know this and keeping it healthy would go a long way toward avoiding further problems. This sap can be a nuisance for saws and tools. Leave live branches in place unless they are growing straight up into other branches or otherwise detracting from the look of the tree. When you cut off a tree branch, the tree forms a special callous tissue (like a scar) that covers over the wound to keep out disease and decay. Look at the top of the tree and identify the branch that will be the leader for the trunk. These branches are usually not dead and leaves grow back when conditions improve. http://msue.anr.msu.edu/news/verticillium_wilt_refresher. The first is to prune off lower limbs that crowd other low-growing shrubs or possibly impede a walkway. Do not leave any branch stubs. If needed you can lightly prune maple trees at other times of the year under different situations and circumstances. From there, just cut it with a knife or blade of some kind. Cut small lengths until you see no discolored wood, disinfecting your pruners between cuts. Opening up the canopy to let light and air filter throughout the entire tree allows for increased foliage while decreasing the risk of disease. Good luck! Remove branch stubs Avoid topping trees. Begin pruning by removing any dead, damaged or weak branches first. How should larger limbs be pruned? You can find one or more Certified Arborists in your zip code at www.treesaregood.com Click on Find an Arborist. This is done to shape the tree, and get rid of any defective or dead branches. Treatment for declining urban maples includes: watering, fertilizing, pruning dead branches, and reducing salt-laden spring water runoff over the roots. Wait until your tree is dormant in the winter to make your cuts. That scarred part of the tree will be there forever, sealed off so that the rest of the tree can keep growing. You can read more about it at this link: http://msue.anr.msu.edu/news/verticillium_wilt_refresher For a positive ID, you can send a sample to Diagnostic Services at http://www.pestid.msu.edu/Or you could involve the services of a Certified Arborist, who would likely send a sample for you. Dead tissue is a part of a plant in which all the cells have died and will never come back to life again. Certified Arborists specialize in everything woody, evaluations are not expensive, and this is where you can learn everything about your problem, as well as any other problems in your landscape.Meanwhile, the best thing you can do for your tree going forward is to keep it healthy, watering regularly and possibly fertilizing. Tree pruning should be a careful process– never a quick, cheap routine. 1 Prune your maple in the late fall while it is dormant. Prune out the dead and determine whether the tree is salvageable aesthetically, or not. Japanese maples are spectacular landscape tree specimens that offer year-round color and interest. Pruning the upright Japanese maple involves four main steps. If not and verticillium wilt is the diagnosis, don't plant another that is susceptible to verticillium wilt in the same place because the fungus will remain in the soil for a long time. Maple trees have sap that many people will tap for making syrup. If you own a maple whose upper branches scrape an electric line, you can use crown reduction pruning to reduce the tree's height. Verticillium Wilt would be the strongest suspect in your branch death. Maple Tree Branches Dying. Any idea why would happen? Always remove the dead and dying branches and leaves before giving the desired size to the trees. Each cut can change the way a tree grows. Cut back tips of Japanese maple tree branches that die back during the growing season as soon as you notice them. Your tree could be hit again, or may never be hit again. Prune for safety. Prune the larger branches that are on a verge of breaking. Pruning out dead branches as soon as they are noticed not only restores the look of your prized specimen, but can keep any disease from spreading. So, Andersen says that no branch should be cut without a clear reason. Fairly common, especially in maples, there is no cure, if it is indeed the reason. Most have heard of Maple … But this year it is leafing out nicely and I expect it to recover fully. Cut just above the ridge of the branch collar, where they join a larger branch or trunk, if larger. Some Japanese maples may only grow 6 to 8 feet (1.5 to 2 m.), but others will achieve 40 feet (12 m.) or more. ), with its distinctive shape, lacy foliage and often brilliant fall color can be the focal point of a yard or a highlight in a garden bed. “If you want to grow a healthy tree that can live for a long time, pruning is a must,” says Jason Parker of Davey’s North Philadelphia, Pennsylvania office. Its important to learn how to prune maple trees and to … Wait until the maple trees put out leaves late in spring to prune so they do not bleed. Removing large branches leaves stubs that can cause several health problems. Ensure tools are sharp, to make the cleanest possible cuts that heal faster than jagged, torn wounds. Prune to promote plant health Remove dead or dying branches injured by disease, severe insect infestation, animals, storms, or other adverse mechanical damage. There will be much less sap. Examine the overall appearance of the Japanese maple tree. Tree pruning and trimming is essential to a tree’s health, but is not as easy as it looks. Dead branches should be cut back to a living crotch so that healthy tissue surrounds the final cut. The easiest way to do this is to tie both ends of the rope to an object, then stretch the rope all the way out to find the center point. Patricia Hamilton Reed has written professionally since 1987. First, start at the top of the tree and work down. Pruning them before the buds come out will help the tree produce blooms and fruit. Get rid of dead branches littered throughout the tree, which will give you a better idea of how the live branches look and where you need to trim and cut to maximize the aesthetic value of your maple. Reed was editor of the "Grand Ledge Independent" weekly newspaper and a Capitol Hill reporter for the national newsletter "Corporate & Foundation Grants Alert." Clip or saw off dead branches at their base if less than three-quarter-inch in diameter. The tree in this post was severely damaged and all dead branches removed. Wipe down the blades of your hand pruners, loppers or pruning saw with rubbing alcohol on a rag to eliminate any fungus or disease that could be transferred to your Japanese maple by any previously pruned plant. Trees should be watered slowly to soak the entire soil area under the tree canopy to a depth of 12 or more inches. Your next concern should be branches that intertwine or cross since they … Pruning your tree when it's dormant gives it time to heal before threatening pests arrive. Prune maples in mid- to late- summer. “Specifically, cutting off dead or diseased branches helps keep you and your home safe.” Here are the top three reasons why you need to prune your trees. Always prune trees in the winter, during dormancy. Don't remove more than one-third of the tree's canopy or prune in summer to avoid sun scald, which can lead to discolored leaves and dead branches in the upper part of the tree. However, maple tree pruning is an essential part of maple tree maintenance. Make clean cuts as close to the remaining branch as possible. Though most trees should be pruned while in their dormant state, maple trees are the exception. Prune away dead or diseased branches whenever you notice them. They leak sap when pruned, especially if you do it early in spring. Disease and Insects Trees have a remarkable way of compartmentalizing dead wood so that it doesn’t effect the rest of the good, live wood. Make sure your trees are well-watered and healthy looking before removing any live wood. Prune later in the summer to lessen the flow of sap. Scrape Japanese maple's thin bark with your fingernail, a small knife or the edge of the pruners, if you are unsure whether a branch is dead or not; green tissue beneath the bark means the branch is still alive. Cut Intertwining Branches. Remove branches that rub together. It looks terrible. Organic Gardening: Choosing Japanese Maple Varieties, University of California Cooperative Extension Tulare/Kings Counties: Pruning Japanese Maples, Texas Forest Service: Will My Tree Make It? Prevents disease – Broken, diseased, or dead branches are typically removed in order to prevent decay-producing fungi from infecting other areas of the tree. Pruning in the winter will also help your tree grow more during the spring. If not and verticillium wilt is the diagnosis, don't plant another that is susceptible to verticillium wilt in the same place because the fungus will remain in the soil for a long time. Pruning Japanese maples is rarely necessary in mature trees, if they have been trained when young. Strive for branch collar cuts when pruning. A tree that loses too many branches to verticillium wilt may have to be removed entirely. I was so sad seeing the new shape of my larger tree. Prune out the dead and determine whether the tree is salvageable aesthetically, or not. If you have particularly cold winters, wait until the coldest part of winter is over before you prune your tree. Examine your Japanese maple for broken and dead branches in mid-winter, while the tree is leafless and dormant. Pruning maple trees during the dormant season will help your trees with new growth in the spring when they bloom. 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