Photo: Liné1, CC BY-SA 3.0 · source
Pruning guide · Tree
Italian maple: when and how to prune
Acer opalus
Italian maple is best pruned in July–August.
| Pruning months | July–August |
|---|---|
| Nesting season (15 March–15 August) | Take care in July–August |
| Flowering | March–April |
| Good for bees, butterflies and birds | Yes, for bees |
| Native to Belgium | No, planted |
Italian maple: when to prune it?
Prune only when needed, in July–August, when the tree is in full leaf.
Italian maple: how to prune it?
- Remove dead, diseased and crossing branches, just outside the branch collar.
- Cut out water shoots and suckers at the base of the trunk.
- To raise the crown, remove one or two low branches each year rather than all at once.
- Saw off large branches in two stages to stop the bark tearing.
How much to cut, and how often?
- One pruning period a year: July–August.
- Never remove more than about a quarter of the crown at once. Better a little every year.
What does it mean for wildlife?
- Pruning in July–August can fall in the nesting season (15 March–15 August). Check carefully for nesting birds first: disturbing an active nest is against the law.
- Italian maple flowers in March–April, 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: Do not prune from January to May: maples ‘bleed’ heavily from the wounds then, and you would cut off the flowers.
Nearby: related pruning guides
Plant profile: Italian maple · Pruning calendar and basic rules
This guide is compiled from the Bladwijzer plant profile and pruning calendar.