Maple trees are one of the most beautiful trees in autumn known for their vibrant colors and distinctive leaves. There are many types of maples in Oregon, ranging from the small Tatarian maple (Acer tataricum) to the towering red maple (Acer rubrum), which can reach heights of 60 feet or more.

When considering when and how to trim a maple tree in Portland, OR, it’s always best to consult with a certified arborist to make sure you’re not going to harm the tree in the process. Also, since maple trees can be so large, you run the risk of hurting yourself or others if you trim improperly.

 

When to Trim a Maple Tree

Trimming maple trees is much like pruning any other deciduous tree. The main difference is that you should prune maples in the late spring and summer after it has fully leafed. Earlier pruning allows large amounts of sap to weep out, which shouldn’t harm mature trees but may weaken or stress younger trees.

Pruning should use cuts back to lateral branches or just outside the bulge of the branch collar back to the trunk. When trimming younger trees, cut off branches to shape the tree for growth. When pruning older trees, trim them to remove dead, weak, or crossing branches. It’s very important not to leave stubs and to never remove more than 25% of live growth in one season.

Reasons to Trim a Maple Tree

While there are many reasons why a homeowner would want to prune their maple trees, here are some of the common reasons why an arborist would recommend trimming:

• To remove dead, diseased or dying branches and crossing or rubbing branches
• To thin for even weight, appearance, and heavy sucker growth. The goal is to open some space between limbs without making it look sparse or unbalanced
• To clear structures such as houses, garages, street lights
• To reduce or remove long over-extended limbs to prevent breaking

Call An Expert!

If you have Maples on your property, it’s important to make sure you take care of them so they don’t cause issues in the future. A long over-extended limb can break and cause damage to your property or worse – they can fall on people or pets. Whether you’re planning to trim them yourself or want a team of certified arborists or do the job for you, call Urban Forest Pro today for a free consultation!