Silver maple: when and how to prune

Silver maple: when to prune it?

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In summer or early autumn (July–October).

Bleeds a lot of sap from pruning wounds in late winter and spring. So prune in summer or early autumn, when the tree is in leaf.

What else to prune in those months? July · August · September · October

Silver maple: how to prune it?

1. Train young trees to a single trunk with strong, wide branch angles: narrow V-shaped forks split later on.
2. Remove dead, split and crossing branches in good time.
3. Prune a little regularly rather than a lot at once: large saw cuts heal poorly.

How much to cut, and how often?

• One pruning period a year: July–October.
• 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.
• Silver maple flowers in February–March, 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.
• Pruning in late winter or spring: the wounds then bleed heavily.
• Leaving a stub or sawing flush with the trunk: cut just outside the branch collar.

Nearby: related pruning guides

• Field maple
• Sycamore
• Box elder
• Japanese maple
• Norway maple
• Red maple

Similar to: Difference from sycamore · Difference from Japanese maple · Difference from red maple

Plant profile: Silver maple · Pruning calendar and basic rules