when to prune an acer tree

hello was just hoping someone could give me a little advice on how and when to prune back my acer i brought it in march it is a very young tree and has come out brilliant but it has got very tall and i wanted to know how to shorten it so it becomes more bushy but not sure what time of year this needs to be done
hoping someone can help
thanks
traceyjw

 

Hi Tracey,
I have two acers(Japanese maples) one about 3 ft high the othe about 5 feet. I haven't pruned them at all. Small one is about 3 yrs old the larger one about 6. Don't seem to have had the cause to prune at all. They are still in pots too. I'll be interested to see what response you get here.
John

 

The basic points to know about pruning trees to affect their height / bushiness are that if you take some off the top it will encourage it to bush out, (crown lowering) and if you prune off lower branches, it will encourage it to grow taller (crown lifting). As for time of year, I don't think that's critical with an acer.

 

I have four acers ,three are beauties but one is leggy and spready so information on pruning will help me also

 

You prune decidious trees and shrubs in late winter or early spring while they have no leaves.

 

I dont think you prune now, as I have an idea they bleed.
I'd go for late summer or leaf fall I think.

 

It should be fine to prune an acer at this time of year if it is only 'thin' shoots/branches which you are removing
If it is a rather 'thicker' branch then you really should wait until the sap stops rising ...they do bleed somewhat
For myself I judge each situation on an individual basis and weigh the pros and cons
Mind you ... I have been known to 'take a chance' when I really wanted to achieve an effect, and so far I have been fortunate enough

 

I tidyed mine up a couple of weeks ago no problem some of it was overlapping one of the other shrubs it wasn't detremental

 

I have an acer which I've had for nearly six years. I've only ever trimmed the dead tips off in spring.We live next to the sea and it is very windy but my acer is about 5 feet tall and thriving, even though my mother inlaw said it would die!Ha Ha