- For the most part, pruning Japanese maples is confined to removing dead wood and fine stems, which obstruct the handsome skeleton of the tree.
- Young trees need to have the lowest limbs removed to enhance clearance.
Thus, How do you reduce the height of a Japanese maple tree? One of the most effective ways to control the height of a Japanese maple is to do crown reduction. This technique only takes branches that are growing the wrong direction or ones that are rubbing other branches. This improves the appearance of the tree, and it prevents the tree from getting too tall in the first place.
Additionally How long do Japanese maples live? Japanese maples typically grow just one to two feet per year (which is why it might be wise to buy the largest one you can afford). That said, under the right conditions, they can live to be over one hundred years old.
How do I keep my Japanese maple leaves red? One factor to consider when you place your red Japanese maple is that they do need a little sunlight to maintain their brightest-red color. Too much shade minimizes the red shades. The leaves will not be as striking in the shade as they would be if the tree was planted in another area with more sunlight.
How do you shape a maple tree? 
How far can you cut back a Japanese maple?
To avoid causing stress or stimulating unsightly growth, never remove more than one-fifth of a Japanese maple’s crown; you should also not prune a branch that is more than half the diameter of the parent stem. In addition, don’t remove more than a quarter of the foliage of any given branch.
Can you use hedge trimmer on Japanese maple?
A Japanese maple is a delicate plant and should not be trimmed or pruned with a rough tool such as electric trimmers.
How far back can you prune a Japanese maple?
For Japanese maples, it is recommended to do structural pruning in the winter and wait until late spring, after the leaves come out, for fine pruning. Summer can also be a good time for removing larger branches and for removing dead, damaged, or diseased wood.
Should I prune the lower branches of a maple tree?
Trim away the lower branches and shoots on young maples. This will help to shape the trunk to allow for walking clearance under the branches as the tree grows.
Can I prune Japanese maple in spring?
Late winter or early spring is when to prune a Japanese maple. This is its natural dormant period and less injury is caused by Japanese maple trimming during this time. For the most part, pruning Japanese maples is confined to removing dead wood and fine stems, which obstruct the handsome skeleton of the tree.
How do you trim a maple tree to make it smaller?