Expert Pruning Advice: How and When to Prune Your Acer Trees
Mark Hewett, Wilkinson Sword Divisional Sales Manager for Garden Tools & Accessories advises:
When is the best time to prune Acer trees? And why?
“Acers are generally best pruned when dormant, once the leaves have fallen, as the tree is under less stress and it's easier to see its structure. For most pruning, you'll want a sharp pair of bypass pruners, which make a clean, scissor-like cut rather than crushing the stem.”
How do I prune my Acer to shape?
“Start with any dead, damaged or crossing branches, then selectively remove growth that's spoiling the shape. Use bypass pruners for smaller branches, cutting just above an outward-facing bud if you want to encourage growth in that direction. For thicker branches, switch to bypass loppers rather than forcing your pruners beyond their capacity.”
Ultralight bypass loppers - £29.99
Can you cut an Acer right back?
“I wouldn't recommend cutting an Acer right back in one go. If you need to reduce it, remove individual branches instead. Bypass loppers are ideal for thicker growth because their longer handles give you more leverage while still producing a clean cut. For anything beyond the capacity of your loppers, use a pruning saw rather than trying to force a garden tool to do a job it's not designed for.”
Pruning saw with holster - £24.99
When should you not prune Acers?
“Avoid pruning when the tree is under stress, particularly during periods of extreme heat or drought, and avoid unnecessary cuts when it's coming into active growth. Whenever you prune, make sure your blades are sharp and clean. The right tool for the branch makes a big difference: bypass pruners for smaller stems, loppers for thicker branches and a pruning saw for larger growth.”