Internet Bonsai Club
Would you like to react to this message? Create an account in a few clicks or log in to continue.

Too Late To Chop Maple?

2 posters

Go down

Too Late To Chop Maple? Empty Too Late To Chop Maple?

Post  jimlau Sun Apr 19, 2015 5:36 pm

Too Late To Chop Maple? P1030411

got to this bloodgood late. it is leafing out. I have removed about30% of top foliage. i'd like to chop this much lower leaving fewer leaves.

is it too late to chop further (meaning has the tree used up the stored energy), or does it look like there would be plenty of energy left to pop many more leaves?

thanks.

jimlau
Member


Back to top Go down

Too Late To Chop Maple? Empty Re: Too Late To Chop Maple?

Post  Richard S Sun Apr 19, 2015 10:52 pm

If the tree is healthy and strong it would probably survive more cutting now but why cause it the stress?

Let it grow freely until early summer and if it is growing strongly you could cut it then. This should produce maximum back budding which is useful if you are cutting off most or all of the existing foliage. On the other hand, if you intend to cut back to an existing branch (to use as a new leader for example) then I have found that autumn (just as the leaves are falling) is a good time.

At least that works in my climate (south east UK). I guess things could well be different where you are.

Remember as well that Japanese Maples are reputed to bleed heavily if pruned hard in the spring and this is supposed to increase the risk of die back (don't know if that's really true because I always avoid pruning mine then - but that's the theory).

Goes without saying that if the tree is at all weak leave well alone.

Regards

Richard
Richard S
Richard S
Member


Back to top Go down

Back to top

- Similar topics

 
Permissions in this forum:
You cannot reply to topics in this forum