My variegated maple is a bit too big for my garden is it OK to do it now?
Question:The branches I want to cut off are about half inch thick
Answers:
I suspect that yours is a Japanese maple, the popular garden variety. It really should be pruned in autumn or early spring but if your are desperate, want of space, wind rock etc. prune it now but not hard, just cut off unwanted branches and keep the tree in shape. You should be OK.
pour weed killer on it and let god sort it out...
Wait until it is dorment in the winter.
You would be better waiting until the end of September or early October before pruning it back. If you do it now it will encourage new growth. Don't forget when you cut the branches to angle so rain runs off or it will eventually kill your tree.
How big is the overall tree right now? You know, don't you, that this just a Norway Maple with variegated leaves and it wants to grow to 75ft and 50ft. wide. Cutting !/2" branches won't dwarf your tree. You should consider a variegated Japanese Maple if you want something small. RScott
Hi Watt (how's the peasants?)
Should be fine to take off a few smaller branches now. It may well bleed sap, but don't be alarmed there is no evidence to suggest that this harms the tree in any way.
Don't remove any more than a third of the tree's growth. If you are going to prune out a lot of branches then, yes, wait until the autumn, after leaf fall.
Here's a link that gives some advice on how to prune out the bits you want to remove:
http://www.tlcfortrees.info/natural_targ...
How that helps. Love that tree.
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