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Paperbark maple pruning out dead branches

#1 · 11th June 2023, 2:53 pm

Hi I have a paperbark maple in my garden that over the past 2-3 years has developed a lot of dead branches, probably at least half the branches. Would we be better chopping all the dead branches out in the hope that it will recover or whether it's too late for the tree and we shoulder chop it down and replant

Thanks for any advice you can give 🙂

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#2 · 11th June 2023, 5:35 pm

Hi @claire-bevan

Thanks for your question about your dying or dead parts of the paper bark Acer (Acer griseum).

I would always advise that you try and save an ill or sick tree rather than removing it. This is because digging it up is costly, time intensive and often leaves a void whilst another tree plays catch up.

Trees have dead branches from time to time where frost or adverse weather kills them off, but without killing the entire tree. Some older branches die back naturally too so it's not always a sign of ill health with trees and plants.

Looking at your pictures I'd prune out all the dead branches back to the next healthy lateral (side branch) or main trunk. I think it may even make the tree a nicer shape looking at it.

Use clean sharp secateurs and a wood saw. See below for a picture of what a tree pruning saw looks like along with a link to the ones I use. (This is an affiliate link so if you do choose to buy receive a small commission that helps keep this blog free to use!)

Use a wood saw for thicker branches always cutting from the bottom first for 1/3 of the branch then flip and cut from the top down. You can see this technique in my tree crown lifting video below.

For thinner branches like the thickness of a pencil then secateurs (like these amazing ones) are best. Keep them clean and sharp in between uses.

Hope that helps.

Lee

#3 · 12th June 2023, 7:58 am

Thanks Lee

Can I do this now or should I wait until winter?

#4 · 12th June 2023, 8:28 am

Hi @claire-bevan

Usually we do all of our pruning of deciduous trees in the winter when dormant. However with dead branches there’s little to no sap so cutting them off now is advisable before wind or weather damages then.

Additionally with the prunus or cherry group of trees we always prune these in spring or autumn as winter pruning can cause silver leaf or other illnesses the spread quickly.

so grab your wood saw and snips and go forth to prune!

Lee

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