I have a couple of upright Japanese maples, fireglow and emperor 1. Neither one has a defined central leader. Do Japanese maples benefit from structural pruning? Should I clean the top and leave one central leader?
They don't really need structural training. Cut off what you don't want and any seriously crossing branches. Mostly leave them alone unless you need to raise them up so you can mow or walk around them.
“That which is, is.That which happens, happens.” Douglas Adams
Name: Daisy I Reno, Nv (Zone 6b) Not all who wander are lost
Yes, what John said. JMs react to pruning by growing little brushes at the ends of the cuts. You won't like the look. Plant the JMs that have the size and shape you want, don't try to turn one into what its not.
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President: Orchid Society of Northern Nevada
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