Japanese maples will look "more beautiful" and stay healthier if pruned between November and January, according to horticultural expert Jessica Walliser from Savvy Gardening. Trimming outside this winter window can "destroy their beautiful shape and foliage".
Best time to prune Japanese maples
Walliser confirmed that regardless of which variety of Japanese maple you own, the pruning needs, method, and schedule remain the same. She advised: "The best time of year to prune any living wood is late autumn to mid-winter (November through to January). I don't prune my Japanese maple any time after January."
In contrast to most other deciduous trees that can be cut back during dormancy, maples should not be pruned in late winter. Walliser explained: "If pruning occurs in late winter, the wounds weep sap." While this poses no threat to the tree, it could attract insects, and the pruning cuts may take longer to close, increasing the risk of disease.
How to prune correctly
Spring and summer trimming should be avoided altogether. The first step involves removing any dead wood, which typically accumulates on the lower portion of the tree. It is essential to examine the underside of the tree, as this is where most deadwood gathers.
If there is fresh growth on your Japanese maple that does not match the rest of its growth, it must be trimmed away to maintain the tree's shape. The expert warned that side branches extending significantly from the trunk should only be cut back "unless it is absolutely necessary", as they are "much better off growing to their natural form."
