Questions on pruning young JM

I am a newbie to JM - well, I have owned some in the past with little luck keeping them alive, but I have tried to research which ones will hold up to my heat better, etc. I have recently purchased two young Crimson Queens and 2 Orangeolas. Both are about 20 -24" tall. I had originally planned to place in the ground, but I have decided at least for now, to just place them in large decorative pots and see if I can get them established and find a location they are happy with. A couple of the young trees - I believe they are both the Crimson queen has some very long branches that are actually growing in a circular motion around the tree. My husband thinks I should "prune" them to the shape I want, but with only 4 or 5 limbs on the little trees at this point, I am not sure what to do.

Can someone offer suggestions?
Thank you!

pictures always help.

Branches growing "in a circular motion" can be the result of the trees being crowded together in the nursery. The branches will grow every which way trying to find some space. I agree with your husband, it should be shaped but, like wha says, pictures help so the more experienced growers here can suggest just which branches to trim.

OK, I am sure that would help. I looked at it last night and it is leafing out very well. Both Orangeolas have several leafs on them already but my Crimson Queens don't have any. I am headed out of town tonight for a long weekend with my family but I will try to get pictures at the first of next week. That also gives it a little more time to unwind :)

Thanks for the response!
Genna

I hope I am not intruding on this thread but I have a very large weeping cut leaf JM that is in need of a big haircut (about 7 feet tall and maybe 10 feet across and intruding on walls and front porch). When is the best time for pruning and what should one do to take it back a piece without looking like sheer butchery.

I would trim the plant early spring 2 weeks before bud break. At this time you will be able to see exactly where you are cutting and you will only be looking at the cut ends for a couple of weeks. I have trimmed maples severely at times with great results but I only cut like this on a plant every 3-4 years and let it fill in. Maples are very resilient plants and bounce back quite well.

Dave

Thanks Dave. It is starting to leaf out now but I have removed dead branches and cut some of the top out before. On this it looks like it needs a hedger due to all the branches.

Here it is a couple of days ago.

I would never use a hedger. All you need is a heavy duty bypass pruners and 30 minutes of time. Possibly a small bonsai saw with a 6" blade for several larger caliper branches. This way you can always select and choose which branch to trim and trim it at a location that is just above the collar of a branch. Trimming out some of the larger select branches will have that plant looking magnificent.

Dave

I think it is going to be longer than 30 minutes though. I will use hand pruners and a small saw then.

I trimmed a lot off mine this spring , but now that it is really leafed out I am seeing more branches that over lapping the lower ones. Should I trim the upper branch or the one underneath it?

picture?