Beautiful acer - but how can I improve it?

Berkley

I love this acer - but it is now out of proportion and no longer resembles the tree it was 10 years ago. If I wait until January do you think I could successfully reduce its height and remove the lower branches? I would like it to look like a tree again, rather than an overgrown shrub!

Paul B3

From what I can see , your tree looks like Liquidambar styraciflua (American Sweetgum).

These get very large if left to their own devices ; removal of lower branches (these are probably curving downwards) is perfectly OK , as is reducing the crown with a good pair of loppers .

I have one in my garden which is carefully pruned every two-years ; kept at around 12' high and about 8' diameter .

Beautiful Autumn colours by the way !

Silver surfer

That is a fabulous tree.
The only thing I would suggest is in winter to cut lower/ bottom branches off .
This would leave a clean trunk and branches /leaves on the top.

It is a tree ..trees grow. It will get taller.
I would hate to decapitate it.

If you want a dwarf tree I recommend starting with a dwarf Acer.

Fairygirl

I'd agree totally with @Silver surfer. It would be a shame to take anything from the crown of that.
Once lower branches are removed, it will have a very good outline 

Paul B3

Agree totally with the above comments ; I have no choice but to keep mine pruned due to its relative proximity to the house .

Silver surfer

Paul B3 said:

From what I can see , your tree looks like Liquidambar styraciflua (American Sweetgum).

I tried to check if it was Acer or Liquidambar when I first saw pic.
Couldn't see detail.
Acer...leaves are opposite to each other.
Liquidambar....leaves are alternate.
See diagram...

https://www.bing.com/images/search?view=detailV2&id=1378C86CA3BEF62AAE5BE96C5CFD2EA1C0CB0C60&thid=OIP.4vvv7hlr64UTQ67BpgpqCgHaHJ&mediaurl=http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-w40KpBlhb7A/UP9oGj8QRHI/AAAAAAAAAGg/zG2N_KY4fSQ/s1600/opposite_alternate.gif&exph=438&expw=454&q=opposite+alternate+leaves&selectedindex=2&ajaxhist=0&vt=0&ccid=J/0kuaLu&simid=608053826573828814

 Liquidambar styraciflua

Berkley

Just been out to check! The leaves are alternate!

Silver surfer

Berkley.  Thanks for checking.
Paul B3 is spot on ..it is Liquidambar styraciflua 

Berkley

Thank you everyone for your helpful replies. I always thought it was an acer - but am delighted to know it’s true identity. Knowing that it could reach 15 metres + is a bit of a worry - but think I will concentrate first on removing the lower branches - without attempting to reduce its height. Thank you again. 

Karen.mayfield1

I have a self set Acer about the years old. It's about 6 inches tall. It loses leaves in autumn and gains them in spring like any other Acer but will it grow?

Fairygirl

Assuming it has suitable growing conditions - yes, it'll grow.

They grow very slowly though.