The final step is to evenly thin the branches. Remove branches that intrude into the layers above and below them. The third step is to separate the tree into layers. Next, prune off dead wood - that is, any dead twigs or brittle branches that no longer grow foliage. The first is to prune off lower limbs that crowd other low-growing shrubs or possibly impede a walkway. Pruning the upright Japanese maple involves four main steps. Removing thicker areas of foliage can reveal previously shaded areas and invite scalding by the sun. It is important to be careful of the temperature when pruning in the summer, however. Summer, on the other hand, allows for a more accurate gauge of which branches need to be thinned. The winter is probably the best time as it is easy to see the branches and growing structure of the tree. Winter and summer are commonly accepted as good times to prune. Japanese maples such as Waterfall Japanese Maple are not especially particular as to when they are pruned however, spring is generally not a good time as new growth and sap are beginning to develop. We recommend Espoma Tree-tone as a balanced organic fertilizer. Liquid fertilizers encourage Japanese maples to grow instantly, and this is not recommended as early freezes in fall and late freezes in spring will cause damage or kill your tree. Do not liquid feed in late fall or early spring. Once you see good growth you can stop liquid feeding. Important Note: we only recommend using liquid type fertilizer like Miracle-Gro® on Japanese maples during the first summer, and only to help establish the tree. Follow recommended rates based on the tree size. Tree fertilizer spikes also work well and are easy to use. As the tree grows, the amount of fertilizer will need to be increased. Water around the tree and now the tree is fertilized for an entire year. Drop the fertilizer into the holes and fill the remainder of the holes with soil. Bore several holes around the tree and divide the proper amount of fertilizer recommended by the manufacturer by the number of holes. IMPORTANT: Scattering slow-release fertilizer on the top of the soil does not allow the fertilizer to maintain a constant moisture level inside the pellet, resulting in sporadic and possibly untimely releases. When using a slow-release pellet-type fertilizer, it is best to bore holes about 6 inches deep into the soil about half way between the main trunk and the drip line of the branches. I recommend using a slow or controlled release type fertilizer. Fertilizing your Japanese maple with the proper type of fertilizer should be done either in late winter while the ground is still cold (frozen?), or after the last freeze in spring. Weak branches can lead to damage if you are located where icing during winter is a problem. Applying high amounts of nitrogen will cause excessively fast growth that will weaken the plant. Japanese maples look best and develop thicker stems when allowed to grow at a slower speed. Avoid using high Nitrogen lawn fertilizer on Japanese maples. Applying high levels of nitrogen (N) is not recommended. Maintaining a constant low level of fertility will keep your trees healthy throughout the year. When first planting we recommend Bio-tone by espoma. Feeding your plants is probably the single most forgotten part of growing healthy long lasting plants.
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