Left to its own devices, a Sycamore Maple (Bergahorn) will naturally grow into a stunning, well-shaped canopy that’ll be the star of your yard for years. But let’s be real—sometimes these trees just get a little too big for the space we have. If your maple is starting to crowd its neighbors, here’s how to keep that growth in check with the right pruning technique.
When is the best time to prune a Sycamore Maple?
One thing you need to know about maples is that they are “bleeders.” In early spring, the sap starts flowing heavily through the branches, so you definitely want to avoid pruning then. Once the leaves are fully out in the summer, the sap flow slows down, but you have to be careful—federal bird protection laws generally prohibit heavy pruning during the nesting season to keep our feathered friends safe.
Here’s your pruning schedule:
- Light shaping: A quick, gentle trim between June and July.
- Major pruning: Your main session should happen between October and December.
While you should avoid heavy hacking between March 1st and September 30th, a little “haircut” to keep the shape is perfectly fine during the summer. Of course, if your tree is dealing with diseases, you might need to prune immediately to save it. And if you’re growing a Sycamore Maple bonsai, you’ll be pruning much more frequently to maintain that miniature look!
How to tackle a major pruning session
When late fall or early winter rolls around (October to December), it’s time to break out the tools. Make sure your saw is nice and sharp, and give it a good cleaning before you start—you don’t want to introduce any bacteria into the fresh cuts. Start by clearing out any dead wood or dry, brittle branches. Next, look for branches that are growing inward or crossing over each other. If you see two branches competing for the same space, pick the weaker one and cut it off right at the trunk.
Generally speaking, these trees don’t need a ton of maintenance. However, if you’re trying to manage the annual growth rate or keep the canopy from taking over the whole yard, you can take off larger sections. Just a word of caution: be intentional with your cuts. Sycamore Maples aren’t great at sprouting new growth from old wood. If you go too heavy on the pruning, the tree might stay in that “trimmed back” shape for a long time.