How do I go about pruning my laceleaf Japanese maple, and when should I do it?
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 the local organization Plant Amnesty , including an instructional video in which Plant Amnesty founder Cass Turnbull demonstrates how to prune a laceleaf Japanese maple.