Pruning is just one of the few ways gardeners can care for their Japanese maple trees and this task is essential for several reasons. 

The primary reason is that it helps maintain the tree’s aesthetic appeal as well as contributes to the tree's overall health and size. 

Pruning Japanese maples is a practice that not only enhances their natural beauty but also ensures their vitality and longevity in the garden.

According to Matt and Tim of MrMaple, one of the main reasons you would want to prune a Japanese maple is to “increase vigour”. 

They explained: “Pruning pushes a lot of new growth, and it helps the roots to begin expanding and establishing in the ground. 

“If you want your plant to put on a lot of new growth, pruning is a great way to do that.”

There are a lot of different opinions on when you should prune this tree, with many claiming winter to be the best time. 

However, the experts argue that you only want to prune plants at times when you could fertilise as you will create an immediate growth response to pruning.

They recommend the “best time” for pruning Japanese maples to be early spring, somewhere around mid-late March.

The pros added: “Pruning your Japanese maple during the spring will cut down on the time when the tree has open wounds since the tree is at its most rejuvenated stage.

“A lot of people are concerned about the bleed out on the trees, but pruning does not hurt the tree. Spring is the time when the tree will heal the quickest.”

While gardeners can prune at other times of the year, this is the time that will “give you the best success”.

They said: “It’s a nurseryman trick to prune in the early spring since the immediate flush will create the glorious new growth as well as the most vibrant colours, increasing the overall health of your tree as well. 

“Pruning in the summer will decrease the growth and vigour of your tree while pruning in the fall can leave openings in your trees for bugs.”