Acers are best pruned in the coldest part of winter - December/January or anytime after a period where the temperature has been on average, around 4c or less for a couple of weeks. Not easy in these days of climate change.
I had to prune an established acer a couple of years ago ( in January) which was overhanging a footpath. It bled quite a bit for about 3 weeks. The following year the leaves on that part of the tree where much smaller than on the rest of the tree. It has recovered somewhat this year.
PS there's not much you can do now, other than cross your fingers and hope for the best.In extreme cases they can bleed to death.
Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit. Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
Hopefully the tree will be alright but wounds take a long time to heal in the early spring, and it may continue to bleed for some time. As you have found out, the sap is already rising, and as far as the tree is concerned it is no longer the dormant season.
There is not much you can do at this time, certainly don't try to seal the cut with anything.
For future reference, I would limit pruning to before the new year, December and January would be good months to choose.
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I had to prune an established acer a couple of years ago ( in January) which was overhanging a footpath.
It bled quite a bit for about 3 weeks. The following year the leaves on that part of the tree where much smaller than on the rest of the tree. It has recovered somewhat this year.
PS there's not much you can do now, other than cross your fingers and hope for the best.In extreme cases they can bleed to death.
Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
blushandroselip said: Just so folk don't think I was being obtuse
Thanks for this - much appreciated!