Photo: ‘Uncle Carl’ (カールおじさん)., CC BY-SA 3.0 · source
Pruning guide · Shrub
Japanese angelica tree: when and how to prune
Aralia elata
Japanese angelica tree is best pruned in March.
| Pruning months | March |
|---|---|
| Nesting season (15 March–15 August) | Take care in March |
| Flowering | August–September |
| Good for bees, butterflies and birds | Yes, for bees |
| Native to Belgium | No, planted |
Japanese angelica tree: when to prune it?
Little needed. Remove dead wood and unwanted stems in March; remove suckers as often as needed from May to September.
What else to prune in those months? March
Japanese angelica tree: how to prune it?
- Saw dead or damaged stems off at the base.
- To keep the shrub lower, saw old stems off at ground level; new ones grow from the base.
- Remove suckers to below ground level.
- On variegated forms: cut green shoots out as low as possible.
How much to cut, and how often?
- One pruning period a year: March.
- Prune in moderation: never remove more than about a third of the shrub at once.
What does it mean for wildlife?
- Pruning in March can fall in the nesting season (15 March–15 August). Check carefully for nesting birds first: disturbing an active nest is against the law.
- Japanese angelica tree flowers in August–September, when it attracts bees.
- Prunings can go on a dead hedge or brash pile in a corner of the garden: shelter for hedgehogs, wrens and insects.
Common mistakes
- Clipping without first checking for nesting birds.
- Leaving a stub or sawing flush with the trunk: cut just outside the branch collar.
Caution: Protect your hands and arms with sturdy gloves and long sleeves: the prickles are sharp.
Nearby: related pruning guides
Plant profile: Japanese angelica tree · Pruning calendar and basic rules
This guide is compiled from the Bladwijzer plant profile and pruning calendar.