I am collecting info on do and don'ts about acers. When pruning maple roots in early spring, is there something one should do about these pruned roots on do we just put them back in new potting mix ?
There is some info and discussion of root pruning in this thread, including some links to videos of demonstration: http://www.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/forums/showthread.php?t=33024&highlight=root+pruning Personally I just put the root-pruned rootball back in the new potting mix and treat as a normal bare root repotted plant.
Just to let you know I have pruned the roots of one Acer and 3 other shrubs in containers. Buds were swollen, one shrub had begun to grow its leaves, the third had its leaves out. I have not pruned the top branches of the third one. I have combed the roots and changed the soil of all of them. Bucket of water nearby to wet the roots. As they were relatively easy on soil type I did 1/3 sandy loam 1/3 small pine bark 1/3 clay beads.Water every day the first 10 days. Mulch. No drainage at the bottom. They are all doing fine.
I've had better results in fall, but that may be variance... I always cut into the ball and replanted in container mix, but spring can be rougher than fall here--at least in my experience. David
