How to prune japanese maple 'sango kaku'

Late autumn to mid-winter (November–February) when the tree is fully dormant and the coral bark colour is most visible. Remove dead, crossing, and inward-growing branches cleanly at the branch collar. Selectively remove the oldest, thickest branches to encourage young coral-coloured growth. Follow the tree's natural upright form — avoid heavy shaping or heading cuts.

Annually for light maintenance to renew bark colour and remove dead wood. Sango Kaku (Coral Bark Maple) is pruned primarily to encourage young stems that display the most vivid coral-red bark in winter, and to maintain an open, graceful form. It needs little pruning overall. Remove old, dull-barked branches and any dead or crossing wood during dormancy to direct energy into new growth.

Remove dead, crossing, and inward-growing branches cleanly at the branch collar. Selectively remove the oldest, thickest branches to encourage young coral-coloured growth. Follow the tree's natural upright form — avoid heavy shaping or heading cuts.