Transforming an Overgrown Japanese Maple: A Step-by-Step Guide

Japanese Maple trees are stunning additions to any landscape, but they can quickly become overgrown if not properly maintained. My oldest son, Duston, inherited a gorgeous Japanese Maple when he moved into his home, but unfortunately, it was planted too close to the house. With a little care and timely pruning, this tree can thrive beautifully.

The previous owner neglected the tree, allowing it to grow wildly out of control. After assessing the situation, we decided to take action and trim it back significantly, waiting until March when the tree was ready to emerge from dormancy.

Before we began, I captured some photos of the tree to track its progress. Armed with a chainsaw—skipping the hedge and lopping shears—we got to work. I know the sound of a chainsaw can be alarming, but trust me, this was a necessary step to rejuvenate the tree. In just 20 minutes, we had made significant cuts, and the transformation was underway.

Of course, Duston faced quite a bit of scrutiny from his wife, neighbors, and friends. Questions like, “What did you do?! Is it dead?! Did you kill it?!” echoed around him. Many people struggle to envision the potential of a tree after such drastic pruning, which is why so many Japanese Maples remain overgrown.

The key takeaway here is not to fear trimming your overgrown Japanese Maple. Fast forward 18 months, and the results were remarkable. The tree not only survived but thrived, looking healthier than ever. Duston has since maintained it with regular trimming, allowing the center to fill out beautifully.

If you want to prevent your smaller Japanese Maples from becoming overgrown like this one, I’ve created a helpful 10-minute video that outlines the best practices for care and maintenance.

Remember, a little courage in pruning can lead to a stunning transformation in your garden! 🌳✂️

3 thoughts on “Transforming an Overgrown Japanese Maple: A Step-by-Step Guide”

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