Question for you Green Thumbs

[Spaniard]

I figure someone on here has to have a good green thumb that can answer my question. I planted a small japanese maple for my mother last year on mothers day, its maybe 3 feet tall and made it through its first winter well. It looks great now, but I'm wondering if I should clip some of the lowest branches to encourage growth upwards or if I should just let it be?

[geckochick]

Since the tree is still young you should probably remove badly placed or crossing shoots in summer, to develop a well spaced branch network. Keep pruning to a minimum or not at all, on established plants. It would probably be a good idea to keep the branches from touching the ground. But remember not to get prune happy, or your tree will look like a twig.

[Spaniard]

Since the tree is still young you should probably remove badly placed or crossing shoots in summer, to develop a well spaced branch network. Keep pruning to a minimum or not at all, on established plants. It would probably be a good idea to keep the branches from touching the ground. But remember not to get prune happy, or your tree will look like a twig.

Thank you very much

[Broseph]

if you prune it DO NOT do it in the summer....bad idea..fall is the best time, and if you do it only a few of them in a season..if you ever have any questions about this feel free to pm me anytime, horticulture is my passion besides ball pythons...of course..

[Ginevive]

I am glad that you brought this up. I was thinking of pruning the japanese (red) maple that grows by our house. It is my favorite tree; it really stands out with its dark red leaves as opposed to the hues of green eevrywhere else.

[Spaniard]

if you prune it DO NOT do it in the summer....bad idea..fall is the best time, and if you do it only a few of them in a season..if you ever have any questions about this feel free to pm me anytime, horticulture is my passion besides ball pythons...of course..

Thanks a lot, I was given a heads up that you're good with this sorta stuff, just never got around to PMing you yet. Thanks for the info, you might hear from me again.

[MeMe]

horticulture is my passion besides MeMe...of course..

shux.