The lush foliage, formidable structure, and delicious sap of the maple make it idyllic addition to any living landscape. When you have a beloved specimen in your garden, it’s only natural that you want to nurture it in the best way possible.
As the go-to professional tree service in West Palm Beach, we at ECO Tree Experts can help make sure your greenery stays thriving. We’ll start by addressing a common question people ask us: Should I prune the lower branches of a maple tree?
Why Trim Maple Trees?
Strategically cutting your maple’s lower limbs can prove beneficial for several reasons:
Create a More Beautiful Shape
Do you see broken, drooping, or otherwise unsightly-looking branches? By trimming these problem areas, you create a more aesthetically pleasing silhouette.
Some species, like the A. rubrum, have a more unruly structure. If you like a manicured look, pruning can help make it happen. Many arborists suggest the “central leader” technique, where you encourage the growth of the dominant upright branch while forcing surrounding limbs to grow at an angle, like a Christmas tree.
Prevent Disease
The dense foliage of many maple varieties might look beautiful, but it can become a death trap over time. With less airflow circulating around the tree, it’s more vulnerable to pathogens and pests. Occasionally thinning out the more compressed areas make an effective preventative measure.
Did your specimen recently sustain damage from bad weather, animal activity, or other similar hazards? Cleanly cutting away the affected limbs can hasten the healing process and decrease the window of vulnerability.
Boost Growth
As a tree continues to grow, the top foliage may eventually crowd out the water sprouts and other bottom branches, blocking their access to sunlight. They essentially become freeloading structures that don’t contribute to nutrition and energy. Trimming these away encourages the plant to send more resources to the more productive areas and improve vigor.
Minimize Risks
If your maple grows too close to people and property, it’s a potentially hazardous situation. Pruning the lower branches limits its reach and reduces safety risks associated with falling limbs during windy days or other inclement weather events.
Timing Is the Key
Should I prune the lower branches of a maple tree? Yes, but when should you do it? While most trees benefit most from an early spring trim (when they produce more sap and grow actively), maples are a different story.
Since they ooze sap profusely when cut, you’ll want to wait until late summer or early fall before pruning them. This will minimize the amount of “bleeding” and keep your arboreal friend in better health. Mature, established specimens are more forgiving when it comes to timing, but you don’t want to take risks if your tree is still young.
Do It Right
Pruning might seem deceptively simple; just cut the branches, and you’re done, right? Unfortunately, this attitude often leads to damaging or fatal results for a tree. Some of the best practices we recommend include the following:
- Always cut with clean, sharp tools.
- If you see two branches rubbing or crossing together, choose the one closest to 90 degrees and cut the other.
- Cut the branches that droop or sharply point upwards.
- Any limbs growing faster than the rest need trimming off.
- Use the three-cut technique (a foot out from the trunk, a few inches from the trunk, and finally near the branch collar) so the pruned branch won’t break or tear bark.
We hope we’ve answered, “Should I prune the lower branches of a maple tree?” Call ECO Tree Experts at 833-321-TREE for further assistance. Explore our blog and learn what to do with tree trimmings, what to know before planting trees, and more!