Question
Picture of young maple
I have a young maple tree that is 4yrs, that was started from a seed. It's growing great, but the central leader is beginning to bend. I belive it's because of the other branches and their weight. How and should I prune to insure a strong and healthy tree in the future?
Thank you
AnswerI would not prune it right now. This is a young tree and the terminal has not really expressed itself as yet. I would let it grow another year and then if you wanted to you could prune off the lower branches. This pruning is best done in the dormant season after the leaves have fallen. Let the tree grow until next fall 2012 and then you'can decide which branches if any to prune. The other branches are no causing the central leader to bend, the branches are growing fast and they have not hardened off yet this will come with age. The tree looks good.
