when do I trunk chop Jap. red maple

thenewfirm

About 18 months ago, I planted a red maple ("crimson queen"??) on top of a rock in my neighbors garden in a half way attempt to create a root over rock look, or at the least have a good root spread. Any how I've been promised that I won't have to leave the country anytime soon, and I've decided the trunk has thickened enough for the look I want.

My question is when is the best time to trunk chop a maple such as this? I understand they are delicate and bleed if cut in the spring, so should I wait until next summer/or winter/or fall or would it be alright to do it now. The tree is about 3.5 feet tall with the lowest branch about 1.5 feet from the bottom and about 3 inches in girth and 1 inch in diameter.

thank you much

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bisjoe

In order to avoid the spring sap bleed, you have to alternatives. In a mild winter climate you can do it in early winter, so that the wound heals prior to spring, and because it's above freezing will not have the dieback that we get here.

The other is to wait until mid summer, when a wound heals faster.