Cutting acer, guidance needed.

Hi all,

I need to cut my Acer as it is growing over the patches circle in image. Would it be ok if I cut it where the red line is?
Near the bottom.

 

Yes - but you'll need to wait until winter.
Acers bleed copious amounts of sap if they're pruned harshly during the growing season which can weaken the tree significantly.
Trimming off thin growth is OK at most times, but anything thicker than a pencil should be pruned in the dead of winter - ideally during a very cold spell.

I'd cut it off even lower than your line - cut it right at the base of the branch but leave a stub about 1" long

 

Great advice, thank you @Pete8

I will trim it and chop it later as suggested.

 

I'd be reluctant to cut that unless you really have to.
They do have a spreading habit which is part of the look of maples.

 

It keeps poking me when I walk past it. Also carrying things down the path is a pain. I think I need to but not necessarily so drastically.

I could cut it further up.

Whats the worst that can happen?

 

Well its obviously your tree so if its bothering you cut it off, I was just expressing my opinion.
I'd then do as @Pete8 says and go right back to the main stem after leaf fall.

 

I was asking, what is the worst the can happen? I have another
Acer that I think might be diseased so I’m apprehensive about making cuts.. can cutting it kill it ?@pete

 

It shouldn't kill it if done at the right time, I suppose disease getting in can always be possible, its a risk you always take when cutting any tree back.

Just use a clean saw and leave a clean non jagged finish to the cut, be careful not to rip the bark,so do a rough cut further up to take the weight off the branch and then a final clean cut where you want to take it back to.