Pruning Lace Leaf Japanese Maple is best done late winter early spring before new leaf growth.
Begin by removing dead, diseased or damaged branches. Any crossing branches remove to prevent bark damage leading to area for disease to grow.
Keep these maples in a nice umbrella mushroom shape .
I like to limb mine up to show their lovely tree form and bark.
Also the tips of branches become congested with smaller branches remove or thin this area now and through the season. These trees can be shaped and edited all season long . They leaf out vigorously.
As for fertilizing I have found a good mulch which decomposes and allowing the leaves as well to decompose have kept the soil very fertile.
The ground cover which I use under this tree on the slope is pachysandra. Love this green all year.
Remember these trees prefer well drained soil and morning sun. During dry spells always water new trees until established.
These lovely trees hold their leaves all winter. I just remove with a gentle motion of my rake not to tear or rip the bark .
Once finished with your winter prune clean up under the tree and stand back and admire . Once leaves fill the tree do any other editing that makes you happy.
A wonderful tree for any yard small or large.

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