How to prune trident maple 'kifu'

Late winter (dormant) for structural work; spring–summer for shoot management; defoliation possible in early summer on healthy trees. Trim all new shoots to one to two leaves as soon as they extend, repeating throughout the season. In late winter, cut back any branches that have outgrown the design to the nearest well-placed bud. Trident maples can also be defoliated in early summer on vigorous specimens to reduce leaf size.

Shoot trimming every 2–3 weeks in the growing season; structural pruning annually in late winter. Trident Maple 'Kifu' is a vigorous deciduous bonsai that demands frequent pruning to control extension growth and develop fine twig structure. Cut shoots back to one or two leaves throughout spring and summer. Hard structural work — including chopping back long branches — is done in late winter. It back-buds vigorously from old wood after hard pruning.

Trim all new shoots to one to two leaves as soon as they extend, repeating throughout the season. In late winter, cut back any branches that have outgrown the design to the nearest well-placed bud. Trident maples can also be defoliated in early summer on vigorous specimens to reduce leaf size.