All About Japanese Maples | Ask This Old House

In this video, landscape designer, Jenn Nawada explains how to identify Japanese maple trees and how to incorporate them in a landscape design.

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What are Japanese Maples?
Also known as an acer palmatum, Japanese Maples are beautiful, ornamental, deciduous trees that come in a variety of colors and shapes. They feature red, spiked foliage and grow to about 10-20 feet tall.

Where do Japanese Maples Grow?
Japanese Maples are non-natives to the United States—they originated in Japan, the Korean Peninsula and China, and enjoy being planted in partial shade and grow in zones 5-8. [https://planthardiness.ars.usda.gov/P...]

How to Prune Japanese Maples
Once these trees are matured, which typically takes about 10 to 15 years, they should be pruned every few years, usually in the summer or middle of winter. Jenn demonstrates the three-cut method for pruning branches:
1. To prune, aim for the lower branches on the tree that seem to be tangled with other branches, or any dead branches.
2. Remove smaller branches with bypass pruners. For larger branches, start by making a relief cut from underneath, then cut the branch all the way through from the top.
3. Carefully cut away the stump once the weight of the branch has been removed using a pruning saw.

With little-to-no maintenance, Japanese Maples are the perfect way to add character to your landscape.

Skill Level: Beginner

Where to find it?
Jenn discussed a variety of Japanese maple trees, which can be found at most nurseries.

Expert assistance with this segment was provided by Stonegate Gardens (https://www.stonegategardens.com/).

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From the makers of This Old House, America’s first and most trusted home improvement show, Ask This Old House answers the steady stream of home improvement questions asked by viewers across the United States. Covering topics from landscaping to electrical to HVAC and plumbing to painting and more. Ask This Old House features the experts from This Old House, including general contractor Tom Silva, plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey, landscape contractor Jenn Nawada, master carpenter Norm Abram, and host Kevin O’Connor. Ask This Old House helps you protect and preserve your greatest investment—your home.

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All About Japanese Maples | Ask This Old House
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