How to prune acer palmatum 'atropurpureum'

Fully dormant in late autumn to midwinter, or midsummer to avoid sap bleed; remove green reverts as soon as seen. Cut out dead or crossing branches back to a healthy bud or branch junction using sharp, clean tools. Remove any plain green-leaved shoots entirely at their point of origin to prevent reversion taking over. Do not shear or hard-prune — each cut should have a clear purpose. Large wounds can be sealed with wound paint.

Annually inspect for reversion; corrective pruning as needed, typically every 1-3 years. Purple Japanese maple 'Atropurpureum' has naturally elegant form and needs only light, corrective pruning. Remove dead, crossing, or rubbing branches and cut out any shoots that revert to green foliage, as these will outgrow the purple-leaved growth. Avoid hard pruning — it scars slowly and disrupts the graceful layered branching that makes this cultivar ornamental.

Cut out dead or crossing branches back to a healthy bud or branch junction using sharp, clean tools. Remove any plain green-leaved shoots entirely at their point of origin to prevent reversion taking over. Do not shear or hard-prune — each cut should have a clear purpose. Large wounds can be sealed with wound paint.