Japanese Maple 1(year 1): Client asked for a overall thinning and clean out. Tree had not been pruned since planting, 10 years prior. Notice the leaves have not fallen out from the previous year which leads to damage in winter from snow loads. After pictures demonstrate the thinning required of these specimen trees.
Japanese Maple 2 (year 2): Second time around , same goal….thin and clean. Since the major structural issues were taken care of with the initial prune, I looked to shape the tree into a more natural habit. Main leaders were kept, while secondary and bilateral leaders were removed. Lots of new growth was introduced by pruning old growth out. Japanese Maples as a species require yearly ,maintenance for proper growth.