When to Prune Japanese Maple Trees Do the bulk of Japanese maple pruning in the late winter or early spring months, during the tree’s dormancy period and after the extreme cold has passed.

A: If you prune selectively, almost any time is the right time to prune a Japanese maple. With that said, these maples are most easily pruned in winter or summer.

Pruning is crucial for this type of tree. The Autumn Blaze Maple is particularly prone to double or triple leaders as the lateral branches are quite prolific and fast-growing.

Summer is the perfect time to get out there with your pruners and give your trees a little mid-season TLC.

Q: I live in central Virginia and have been called on repeated occasions lately by a well-known lawn service that's trying to sell me fertilizer treatments for my fescue/bluegrass lawn.