Slow Growth Rate

• The slow growth of many Japanese maples makes them ideal for pot culture.acer palmatum image by hazel proudlove from Fotolia.com
  
  Japanese maples have a slow growth rate, up to 15 feet in 10 years, according to Bob Polomski, Consumer Horticulturist at Clemson University. Due to the slow growth rate Japanese maples usually require little pruning.
  
  

Natural Structure

• Prune to display the natural structure of your maple.autumnal japanese park image by d_j_ang0 from Fotolia.com
  
  Prune Japanese maples lightly, advises Joan Helbacka, Washington State University Master Gardener. Prune to enhance the natural structure of curved branches and trunks. Avoid pruning to keep them short.
  
  

Remove Twiggy Growth

• Remove inner twiggy growth to open up your maple.japanese maple image by Kathryn Palmer from Fotolia.com
  
  Avoid insect and disease problems by pruning out inner twiggy growth. This also opens up the tree and gives you a view of the graceful limb shapes.
  
  

Thin in Summer

• Thin in summer when your maple is leafed out.japanese maple image by Horticulture from Fotolia.com
  
  Mary Robson, retired Extension agent says, "Do minor corrective pruning and training (pinching) anytime." That being said, summer is the best time to thin because you can see where leafy growth needs to be removed.
  
  

Major Pruning in Winter

• Branch structure is easier to see when trees lose their leaves.Maple image by Lucia from Fotolia.com
  
  If you have to remove large branches or several limbs, wait until the tree is dormant. This will be late fall or winter, depending on the severity of your climate. Leafless trees make it easy to prune for structure.