Our Coral Bark Maple has developed long tendrils of new growth flowing down like a weeping willow. Should I trim these at the source or let them develop unhindered? The tree was planted two years ago by a landscape company and is about five feet high.

Answer #2 · Brent Wilson's Answer · Only thing I can add has to do with where you make the pruning cut. When pruning off a long shoot, it's best to prune it back to a point above the canopy, or at least 6 inches or more above where the shoot intersects with a branch, and just above an outward facing bud. The buds are those little pointed growths along a bare branch.stem. The new bud will then emerge facing outward, instead of inward where it might crowd the center of the canopy.)

Answer #1 · John Heider's Answer · Hi Jeffrey-I have a few of the Coral Bark Japanese maples planted in large containers. They do at times grow shoots (stems) that outgrow the main shape of the tree and have a tendency to droop downward because of their length. Light corrective pruning of a stray branch is OK to keep the tree more symmetrical.

Light pruning can be be performed at any time of year other than during Spring when the sap is rising. If your Japanese maple has grown beyond the boundaries of the area it was intended to fill, major pruning may be necessary. Major pruning should only be performed during the dormant season (Winter), after the leaves have fallen and prior to leaf production in the Spring.

I have noted a few links to articles that will help you with any pruning. I also noted the Coral Bark plant file that will give you the plants characteristics and information on Planting, pruning, fertilization, and pest control. Just click on these links to go directly to the article and plant file.

www.gardenality.com/Articles/340/How-To-Info/Pruning/How-To-Prune-A-Japanese-Maple/default.html

www.gardenality.com/Plants/250/Trees/Coral-Bark-Japanese-Maple.html#Tab=Overview

Hope this helped. Let me know if you have any other questions. I am a Japanese Maple addict, but Brooks Wilson has me beat. He is extremely knowledgable on Japanese maples and is always available for any questions you have on Japanese maples that others of us can't answer.

John)