I have to walk around this J. Maple now. I would like to remove about a foot of the lower branches. I understand one should prune from the bottom of the branches but if necessary could I take off one or more of the larger branches without harming the tree?
I think you should also post this question in the Japanese Maple forum...you'll get a faster response there!
now is okay to prune your japanese maple.
don't do it when the sap is moving in spring and fall. dormant winter or summer. i've done both. they still bleed out sap in the winter/ late winter, but at least they're not stressed by heat them. never take more than 30% off, and then be considerate of the more dominant branches.
a clean cut with bypass pruners and then don't apply any sort of sealant.....
