When can I prune my Acer Sang Kaku

c.humphreys712

Hi

I've just bought a lovely Acer Sang Kaku and I don't want it to grow too high. I'm aware that they bleed once growing starts (confirmed when a small branch snapped). I want to prune the tree down about a foot but have I missed the chance to do this since its sap is now flowing? Also, will the frost attack the pruned ends? Should I wait until next winter when it's fully dormant? Thanks!

Last edited: 24 February 2018 15:52:07

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c.humphreys712

Thanks - that's useful. 

punkdoc

I am sorry Feddies Dad, but that is not correct. 

Although there is some sap flow most of the year, it is far worse to prune when sap is rising, as this is when the flow is heaviest.

In mid / late winter flow is negligible [ and yes I have done this, to confirm ]

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punkdoc

Thanks for the advice, but it was not an opinion i was offering.

I  have "shaped" Acers this winter, without any bleeding, but when done in Spring they bleed.

If what you say was true, then leaf fall would lead to profuse bleeding, before the wounds sealed.

Paul B3

Speaking of bleeding wounds , a friend of mine cut some rather large Laburnum branches off a mature tree last Monday (12 Feb.) lt was dripping huge amounts of sap (water) late into the following Wednesday .

Contrary to what I advised , he went ahead anyway ; does anyone think serious damage may be the result ?

Looked this morning and the wounds have dried up . May be OK .

Like having our limbs amputated without anaesthetic .

punkdoc

If it is a large mature tree, it will probably be ok.

I have seen small Acers suffer badly from pruning at the wrong time, I think it is probably why, the standard advice, is to avoid pruning them if possible.

Obelixx

You've bought the wrong acer.  Sango Kaku wants to get taller than most of them.  I had one at nearly 4m in my last garden and the only pruning I did was to remove the stems and ends killed off by havy winter frosts in Belgium.

Give it a way or sell it to someone who wants a bigger specimen and buy something more suited to keeping small.  Japanese maples have a natural form that is ruined by excessive pruning.  The other alternative is to keep it in a pot and hope root restriction keeps it small.