Cutting back a budded tree

 
Hello, I need some help from someone!

We got a tree, planted three years ago, and it's just started to bud,
but it needs to be cut back. If I cut it back will it get ruined?

Apologies for my lack of gardening terms/knowledge!

Any help appreciated!




--
mullibum

 On 3/14/2009 7:00 AM, mullibum wrote:

It all depends on the type of tree and your climate.  What is the tree?
 Where are you?

--

David E. Ross
<http://www.rossde.com/> .

Don't ask "Why is there road rage?"  Instead, ask
"Why NOT Road Rage?" or "Why Is There No Such
Thing as Fast Enough?"
<http://www.rossde.com/roadrage.html>

 As a very general statement,  the main negative in cutting back  a budding
tree is that you may not see new buds again until next year. It all depends
on the tree, and your climate.

Also, cutting back a tree before the last freeze is over, could  damage the
tree and/or stunt its growth.   Most folks try not to cut back trees until
the Spring time.

If you are in a mild climate, and you don't expect any more freezes this
season, you can cut it back, but you will likely miss this year's blooming,
because you have cut the buds off.

James

 
Thanks for your replies!

I'm in England, and the tree is a Japanese Maple, I'm pretty sure...

Does that make any difference?




--
mullibum

 On 3/14/2009 1:30 PM, mullibum wrote:

Maples are pruned only for aesthetic purposes.  They do quite well
without any pruning.

If temperatures remain below freezing for extended periods in the
winter, prune maples from summer through January.  If freezing is
intermittant or rare, prune from summer to the beginning of October.
Thus, it is too early to prune now.

--
David E. Ross
Climate:  California Mediterranean
Sunset Zone: 21 -- interior Santa Monica Mountains with some ocean
influence (USDA 10a, very close to Sunset Zone 19)
Gardening diary at <http://www.rossde.com/garden/diary>