Norway maples (Acer platanoides) prefer not to be bothered with pruning shears and saws. Its shapely silhouette and dense foliage unfold beautifully by nature. However, pruning cannot be completely ruled out, provided it is carried out professionally at the right time. These instructions explain when and how to cut your maple in an exemplary manner.

The Norway maple should not be cut during the growth phase

When is the best time?

A Norway maple's heavy sap flow makes pruning a sticky undertaking. In the middle of the growing season, cuts bleed out. You can avoid this problem by carefully choosing the date. The best time to cut Norway maple and its varieties is in the fall when the leaves have started to fall. At this time, the flow of sap within the pathways almost comes to a standstill.

What does the gardener pay particular attention to when pruning?

With a few exceptions, all maple species find it difficult to sprout again from old wood. This circumstance should be taken into account when cutting the Norway maple. How to do it right:

  • Limit pruning to last year's growth
  • Make cuts 2-3 mm above a leaf node
  • Hold the scissors at a slight angle so that the sap and rain can run off better

If you discover a thick, dead branch in the Norway maple, a different cut is required. First saw the branch from below to the middle at a distance of 30 cm from the trunk. Now move the saw a few centimeters outwards. Now saw from above until the branch breaks off. Please cut off the stub in such a way that the branch ring between the shoot and the trunk is not damaged.

To seal cuts or not?

Small cuts on Norway maple will heal by themselves. However, if the pruning leaves a wound the diameter of a 2 euro coin or larger, we recommend treating the wound. To protect the divisible cambium wood under the bark from frost, apply a thin coat of tree wax to the edges of the wound.(12.96€) Next spring, the cut will be covered with fresh wood.

tips

While topiary on Norway maple is at your discretion, this is not the case with vermilion pustule infestation. This tree disease resists all known fungicides. Only a consistent pruning into healthy wood can save a Norway maple from falling.

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Trees