Are you wondering how to prune a maple tree? You’re in luck! This blog post will teach you everything you need to know about pruning maple trees.
Checkout this video:
Decide when to prune
The best time to prune your maple tree is in the late winter or early spring, before the sap starts to flow. This will minimize the amount of stress on the tree and help it to heal more quickly.
Cut away dead or diseased wood
When you’re pruning a maple tree, the first thing you should do is cut away any dead or diseased wood. This will help improve the tree’s overall health and appearance.
Next, you’ll want to remove any branches that are crowded or rubbing against each other. This will help increase air circulation, which can improve the tree’s overall health.
Finally, you should trim any branches that are too long or extend beyond the desired shape of the tree. When trimming these branches, be sure to make clean cuts so that the tree can heal properly.
Trim back branches that are rubbing together
Trim back branches that are rubbing together. These can damage each other and cause wounds that invite pests and diseases. Also, remove any branches that are growing straight up or down, as these are weak and will break easily in a storm.
Cut away branches that are growing inward
Cut away branches that are growing inward, toward the center of the tree, at their point of origin. These branches are competing with the main trunk for space and light, and they will never grow as large or as vigorously as the branches that are growing outward.
Prune branches that are growing vertically
To promote a strong, healthy growth habit in your maple tree, you’ll need to prune away any branches that are growing vertically. These vertical branches are called “suckers,” and they compete with the rest of the tree for resources. Pruning them away will encourage the tree to put its energy into growing stronger, healthier branches.
When pruning branches, be sure to use sharp, clean pruning shears. Make your cut at a 45-degree angle, just above a leaf node (the point where leaves are attached to the branch). Doing this will help prevent damage to the branch and encourage new growth.