It is important to prune your maple true. This maple tree guide will teach you exactly how and when to prune maple trees.
A maple tree is a beautiful addition to any yard… but if you don’t take care of it, the branches can get large and unruly fast.
That’s why pruning is so important.
However, there are a few things you need to know about pruning before you grab your tools and start chopping off branches. We’ve got together this guide to show you when to prune maple trees and how to do it right.
So let’s get started!
When Is the Best Time of Year to Start Pruning?
You can prune your maple tree at any point during the year (almost). However, there are a few things to consider about how the different seasons will affect your tree.
For example, the root pressure that develops in maple trees during the winter causes an increase in sap. This means a lot of sap will flow out of any cut you make in the tree.
But this doesn’t actually hurt the tree. Aside from making your job messier, pruning your maple during the winter is perfectly healthy and safe for your tree.
If you don’t want to deal with sticky sap while you’re trying to work, you should wait to prune until the end of summer. Many experts recommend this as the best time to prune your maple.
Make sure you wait until the end of summer!
During the beginning of summer, your maple tree will be growing new buds. If you try to prune when this is happening, you can damage the new growth.
Why You Should Never Skip Prunning Your Maple
Pruning isn’t just an annoying chore. It benefits your tree (and your property) in a number of ways. Here are some of the most important reasons to prune your maple tree.
The Size
When you prune your maple tree, you keep it at a manageable size. Without regular pruning, the branches can grow tall and wide, which can start to encroach on your neighbors’ property, power lines, or your home.
Even skipping one pruning season can make the tree grow to an unreasonable size for your yard.
Pruning your maple also trains it to grow in the direction you want. This will help you shape the tree in a way that you enjoy.
Reduces Safety Risks
As the branches grow older and taller, they also get weaker. If a heavy wind blows through or a storm rolls up, the tree might start dropping these weakened branches.
These branches can fall on your home, your vehicles, or other important property and cause thousands of dollars in damages. They can even put you and your family at risk.
Pruning will remove these weakened branches, which will keep your property safer.
Keeps It Healthy
Pruning a maple tree clears out space around the branches. This improves the airflow and the amount of sunlight the tree gets during the day. These things can keep the tree healthy and prevent certain diseases from developing.
When you prune your maple, you’re also promoting new growth for your tree. A maple tree that gets pruned will sprout more blooms and fruits.
Appearance
A pruned tree looks much nicer than tall, bushy branches. If you want to enjoy the appearance of your maple tree, you should make sure you prune it every year.
In fact, pruning your tree can even increase the curb appeal of your home, which can increase the property value.
How to Prune a Maple Tree
Pruning a red maple tree (or any other type of maple tree) isn’t a difficult job, but it does take some time.
Before you get started, make sure you have all the necessary tools and safety equipment. If your tree is large, you may need a ladder to cut the top branches. It’s a good idea to have someone there to help you and hold the ladder to prevent it from falling.
Once you have all the right supplies, start by finding and removing any dead branches. You should also examine the branches closely. If they seem like they’re starting to die, go ahead and get rid of them, too.
After that, you can start removing other branches from your tree. Start with the biggest branches first. This will clear out the tree and make it easier to see what other branches need to go.
You can then thin out smaller branches where needed.
But be careful.
You don’t want to accidentally remove any main branches. The thicker the branch, the more likely you should leave it be.
When you chop, you should also cut at least a foot away from the main truck. Any farther away won’t give you the desired effect.
When to Prune Maple Trees and How to Do It Right
There isn’t necessarily a right or wrong way to prune your maple tree. Once you figure out when to prune maple trees (which might be during the winter or the end of summer depending on your preference), you can start removing any branches you think should go.
However, don’t go overboard.
Removing too many branches can make your tree look a little sickly. It can also damage your tree and lower the amount of fruit you’ll get.
If you aren’t sure what your tree should look like after you’re done pruning, you can get in touch with a professional. They’ll be able to give you some advice, or if you prefer, you can hire a professional to take care of the job for you.
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