Sharp pruning shears are good for trimming the fine foliage.
The Japanese lace leaf maple is a small, dome-shaped deciduous tree with feathery cascading foliage. Pruning this tree is an art, but simple if you use a light touch and don't trim too much. "Because the bones of this tree are important to its overall beauty, you'll want to keep many of the unique, twisting branches intact," advised pruning expert Cass Turnbull in "Pruning Japanese Maples," in the March/April issue of "Fine Gardening."
Instructions
1. Stand back and look at the overall shape of the lace leaf maple tree. Correct pruning will highlight but not change the general contours.
2. Prune any branches that touch the ground, to reveal the trunk and emphasize the light, airy nature of the tree. Pruning shears work well on thin branches, while thicker ones may require the loppers.
3. Remove any deadwood, often found near the bottom and inside the tree's canopy. Since dead branches are brittle, use a keyhole saw to make clean cuts.
4. Step away and evaluate the tree during the pruning process to make sure you aren't removing too much. Look at it from different angles. If you're not sure about cutting a branch, leave it for now and check it again later.
5. Remove any branches that don't add to the graceful look of the tree. The branches of a Japanese lace leaf maple should curve and add visual interest. Cut back straight vertical or horizontal branches.
6. Cut crossing branches with the loppers. You should be able to see between the layers of branches, with each level parallel to the next.
7. Clip away small branches at the top with pruning shears to create an feathery effect and allow a view of the interior of the tree.
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