I found Japanese maple (Acer palmatum) on a few lists of deer resistant plants that we have. (One source is Pacific Horticulture, v. 47 (3) 1986, "Co-Existing with Deer," by Mary Lynn Cox)

None of the lists mention specific cultivars, such as your 'Crimson Queen.' But the risk of damage should be lower than other plants that deer prefer. Every article I read warned that a starving deer will eat anything, so no plant is 100% safe.

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Date 2006-03-03
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Cass Turnbull's Guide to Pruning (Sasquatch Books, 2006) specifically addresses the pruning of laceleaf Japanese maple (Acer palmatum dissectum). To summarize, she advises combing out any dead leaves, and then thumb-pruning tiny dead twigs (light gray in color). Remove dead or dying branches, especially near the bottom and inside the tree, working from the bottom up and the inside out. She likes to do summer pruning on this type of maple, but early winter is also acceptable.

You can find additional information on pruning from Plant Amnesty and this link to an earlier book by Cass Turnbull on landscape design, renovation, and maintenance.

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Date 2008-02-08
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