The ash maple (Acer Negundo) originally comes from North America, which is a real eye-catcher in the garden with its pretty feathered. Particularly popular are the varieties with the "colorful", i. H. variegated, leaves. In its homeland, the ash maple can grow up to 20 meters high, with us the tree reaches an average height of about three to five meters. In contrast to other types of maple, the ash maple is very tolerant of pruning.
In contrast to most other maple species, the ash maple is very tolerant of pruning
Ash maple is not a typical maple in terms of cut compatibility
There are around 200 different maple species worldwide, for which a general rule applies: If possible, they should not be pruned. Maples tolerate pruning very poorly and often react to such measures with fungal diseases and short stature. In addition, maple trees have a strong tendency to bleed, which is why they should never be pruned in the cold season. Not so the ash maple: Acer Negundo can easily be pruned back, even to just above the ground. As one of the few maples, this species is able to sprout again directly from the stick.
The right time
Unfortunately, the ash maple is also quite susceptible to fungal diseases, especially to an infection with the red pustule disease. However, such a fungal infection (as well as other fungal infections) can be avoided by choosing the right cutting time. Since the danger is lowest in the months of September / October, you should use pruning shears during this time. The tendency to bleed is also less pronounced in the early autumn months. On the other hand, it should not be cut in winter or early spring.
Rules for pruning
You can also prevent a fungal infection by observing certain rules, with particular attention being paid to hygiene.
- Cutting tools should be sharp and clean.
- Disinfect them before and after each use.
- Seal the wounds with a wound sealant such as resin.
- Do not leave any stubs, unsightly broom shoots will grow out of them.
When cutting, also make sure that the cut is visually pleasing. This is achieved, for example, by pruning the ash maple in the shape of a pyramid: the central shoot remains a little longer than the other shoots, and there is also a step cut from top to bottom. The upper shoots are shorter than the lower ones.
tips
In fact, pruning is even recommended for the ash maple, because the harder the pruning, the stronger the characteristic foliage color.