Re: Japanese Maple, When to trim?>
Don Martinson wrote:
>
> >Hello folks,
> >I have a 4 ft Japanese Maple, sold as a "Cutleaf Japanes Maple" although I
> >don't know its Latin name. I sawe a lot of them in Maryland and most had been
> >trimmed into a weeping pattern. I presume this is a Bonsai technique,.
> >Anyway, Mine is fairly upright and I would like to give it a weeping habit if
> >possible. First, when is the right time of year to trim it? and second,
> >Should I just clip off the verticals above the height I want it?
>
> Hi Tim,
>
> While I'm no expert on Japanese Maples, I've been doing some research prior
> to purchasing one and I suspect your plant is one of the Acer palmatum
> cultivars, of which there are many. It's my impression (and anyone, please
> correct me if I'm wrong) that the weeping habit is rather specific to the
> cultivar and that if your plant is tending to be more upright in habit,
> then you may have problems trying to force it to weep. The best "weepers"
> are those that tend to do so naturally.
>
> I'll be interested to read other replies.
>
> Don Martinson
> Wauwatosa, Wisconsin (Milwaukee suburb)
> USDA Zone 5 (-10 to -20F)
> Heat Zone #4
>
> ---------------------------------------------------------------------
Corect-O-mundo, Don.
Most Acer palmatum dissectums are weepers, but not all. Those are the
ones with the very finely cut lace-like leaves. They tend to be
expensive due to being slow growers. The Acer palmatums are larger
leaved and upright. (This is a really basic description....See 'Maples
Of The World'.)
And pruning should be done while dormant. A maple can push enough sap
to 'bleed to death'.
Also, it's best to let it leaf out at least once before pruning. They
can look like a gangly adolescent, but with leaves on, they assume their
own character. And each one has it's own 'personality'. You'll have a
better eye for what you want out of the tree if you can see it at least
once in leaf.
--
The Greenhouse Nursery
81 S. Bagley Creek Road & Hwy 101
Port Angeles, WA 98362
(360) 417-2664
Zone 8
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