Reasons for Pruning

• Judicious pruning of your Autumn Blaze tree keeps it healthy. Dead branches remaining on the maple tree are dead weight and possible vectors of disease. You should also prune very weak branches as they will likely break in inclement weather. Overly bushy branches and twigs that grow toward the trunk should be pruned to allow improved light penetration.
  
  

How to Prune

• Make clean cuts using properly sharpened instruments. Prevent unattractive stumps by cutting close to the origin point of the branch. Do not overprune, and try to keep your cuts as small as possible. This reduces the chances your Autumn Blaze tree will be infected by fungal or bacterial disease. Prune any suckers you notice early to avoid a more difficult eradication job later.
  
  

When to Prune

• Gardeners should prune Autumn Blaze maples in the winter. During this season, the metabolism of your maple tree is slowed. This decreases the adverse effects of injury pruning causes. Try to prune in dry weather to discourage fungi from infecting the pruning cuts. You may have to prune more often than this, depending on the maple tree's growth rate.
  
  

Tools for Pruning

• No matter what tool you use to prune your maple trees, it is essential that it be well-sharpened. Hedge shears should never be used to prune Autumn Blaze trees, as they lack adequate leverage. Lopping and pruning shears work well for smaller branches and buds, with lopping shears having the advantage of a greater reach. Handsaws and pole saws are appropriate for larger branches, with pole saws being the equivalent to lopping shears in terms of reach. For very big branches, a chainsaw may be necessary. However, if your pruning needs are this extensive, it will be safer to hire a professional to do this work.