Gardeners explained when to prune Japanese maples so as not to harm the plant

Japanese maples are among the most photographed trees in the world. These plants attract people to gardens all over the world.

But most Japanese maples don't create these stunning shapes on their own. If left without care, they can become overcrowded and somewhat deformed, according to Express.co.uk.

Pruning this plant aims to bring out the best in the Japanese maple without trying to change its overall shape. In other words, tidying up rather than making major changes.

Read also: How to cut iris leaves without causing harm: gardening tips

Winter is the best time to cut Japanese maples to "avoid sap bleeding" coming out of the tree. It is best to do this from November to January as pruning in August or September can harm the plant.

It is better to prune maple when it is cold so that the tree does not lose sap. Otherwise, it can weaken the plant.

When the plant is dormant in winter, gardeners will be able to see the shape of the tree without any leaves in the way. When the time for pruning comes, gardeners should simply remove poorly positioned or crossed shoots to encourage the growth of a good branch.

As a reminder, we have already reported on when to prune irises.

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