Amur Maple Acer ginnala

[Manmountain526]

This is my Amur maple. I did some cut back tonight and a gentle wiring to get the branches in the direction I was looking for. The roots of this tree are now starting to come out the bottom of the pot. I built a smaller grow box to put it in. Is it ok to go ahead and root prune and put it in the grow box? Should I wait until spring? It is a very large pot.

 

[sorce]

Leave it!

Nice!

Sorce

 

[Victorim]

Yes wait till spring until its pushed it vigor out of the roots then give it hell.

*noob theory disclaimer* if your keeping that trunk line, id cut back that second branch back to the first intersection to let the first catch up.. and if you loop wire around the trunk and under the branch you`ll get a better bend, also best done in spring.

 

[Manmountain526]

Would it be ok to go ahead and prune that back now?

 

[MACH5]

Do not do anything else to this tree. As a general rule, NEVER think of repotting in the fall. Always spring. I never recommend wiring in the fall unless you are in warmer climates. It is always best to do the wiring in late winter/early spring right before bud swell.

 

[Manmountain526]

Do not do anything else to this tree. As a general rule, NEVER think of repotting in the fall. Always spring. I never recommend wiring in the fall unless you are in warmer climates. It is always best to do the wiring in late winter/early spring right before bud swell.

Thanks for the reply. I am in Eastern Virginia. We are in the 50’s and 60’s right now. All the leaves were off of the tree. I was under the impression from what I have read that maples can be pruned and wired in the fall after all the leaves have fallen. Is this not the case? I appreciate any info as I am learning. Thanks again!

 

[MACH5]

Thanks for the reply. I am in Eastern Virginia. We are in the 50’s and 60’s right now. All the leaves were off of the tree. I was under the impression from what I have read that maples can be pruned and wired in the fall after all the leaves have fallen. Is this not the case? I appreciate any info as I am learning. Thanks again!

Yes there is a lot of literature stating fall is best time. There are a lot of variables such a location and I think they tend to be one-size-fits-all blanket statements. I think there are a number of people that do a lot of the work in the fall. I have worked with Japanese maples for over 25 years. I can tell you, that I have never had an issue working maples in the spring. However, I cannot say the same when I have worked them in the fall. At times, this has resulted in dieback and loss of branches. I believe that this is due to the damage that plant cells sustain when branches get wired and bent. The damaged cells become more susceptible to winter damage resulting in dieback. Ultimately we all must find for ourselves what works best.

This is not to say your tree will not do well. I think it will be fine but again, I would leave your pruning and wiring until spring.

 

[Manmountain526]

Yes there is a lot of literature stating fall is best time. There are a lot of variables such a location and I think they tend to be one-size-fits-all blanket statements. I think there are a number of people that do a lot of the work in the fall. I have worked with Japanese maples for over 25 years. I can tell you, that I have never had an issue working maples in the spring. However, I cannot say the same when I have worked them in the fall. At times, this has resulted in dieback and loss of branches. I believe that this is due to the damage that plant cells sustain when branches get wired and bent. The damaged cells become more susceptible to winter damage resulting in dieback. Ultimately we all must find for ourselves what works best.

This is not to say your tree will not do well. I think it will be fine but again, I would leave your pruning and wiring until spring.

Thank you for all of that great information. It is great to be able to network with people that have so much experience.

 

[sorce]

At times, this has resulted in dieback and loss of branches. I believe that this is due to the damage that plant cells sustain when branches get wired and bent. The damaged cells become more susceptible to winter damage resulting in dieback

True...

You know this made me realize that at some point 3-4 years ago I picked up that fall pruning thing.....

And if I recall correctly, nothing has grown well after, and many of the plants died.

Elms even.

Of course early Spring, and even "warmer, later" spring repotting has taken its toll for me too....

But I am seeing the one Two punch that did a lot of stuff in, and has kept my time capsule elm looking like complete shit!

Seems fall/winter pruning on Alberta Spruce is going to prove a killer too.
I have one from a post xmas sale that was hacked in winter and lived, the rest have perished.
The one I waited longer to hack and prune is also doing well.

Now that I'm uncovering this whole "winter reality".

I'm realizing dormancy means DO NOT TOUCH!

At least here!

Sorce

 

[MACH5]

I'm realizing dormancy means DO NOT TOUCH!

At least here!

Sorce

As far as deciduous I would say yes. Better to work them in late winter, early spring. I think some pruning can be done. But heavy work combining wire, pruning etc I would definitely hold.

 

[M. Frary]

I never prune anything off of trees after late summer.
It gives the tree a chance to heal cuts going into winter.