Japanese maple pruning

When do you stop pruning your maples for shape?? i have 3 that i have let go to build stronger limbs.. live in zone 6 west virginia. thank you for your help.. john

I am sorry, i think my post is worded wrong..i need to know when is the latest time you should prune befor winter when your trees go dorment because of die back...thanks john

I hadn't replied because I am in zone 9 and you could do with advice from someone more local. Most of my maples have just started their second push after their august "rest". I usually cut back to the first pair of leaves once more and then let them grow until the end of the season.

Kev Bailey wrote:I hadn't replied because I am in zone 9 and you could do with advice from someone more local. Most of my maples have just started their second push after their august "rest". I usually cut back to the first pair of leaves once more and then let them grow until the end of the season.

Are you saying you defoliate them now? Then let the buds burst until they drop? That is what I have gathered from your post.

I Defoliated one of my Crimson Queens about a month ago and I thought it was almost too late. (ZONE 5-A Midwest USA)

No, do not defoliate, it is too late in the year. I said cut them back to the first pair of leaves. What I meant by this is, look at the newest shoots, they have a pair of leaves and a bud in the centre. Trim that bud out. Then leave everything alone until the end of the year.

No,i am not defoliating the trees.that will come soon enougth here. will do what Kev says and wait for next spring..thanks very much for your help.