Japanese maples have a multitude of attributes that make them perfect trees for shady landscapes. Some varieties boast eye-catching spring color, while others are bedecked with a riot of hues in fall.

Add Yahoo as a preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. While most varieties of Japanese maples grow only 6 to 12 inches a year, pruning helps maintain their shape and keep them healthy.

A large Japanese maple tree with fall foliage in a landscaped backyard. - 4nadia/Getty Images You only have to look at a Japanese maple to know why these trees are such popular additions to a garden.

Prune Japanese maples in late winter or early spring to remove dead wood and shape the tree. Stick to the tree’s natural form and avoid over-pruning to maintain health and balanced structure. Light ...

GINGER WRITES: When is the best time to selectively prune limbs on a maple? I was told the botanical name of my maple is acer palmatum. The tree has put on a tremendous amount of growth since early ...

We’re deep into fall and gardening is winding down, but there are still things gardeners wonder about. If you’ve got questions, turn to Ask an Expert, an online question-and-answer tool from Oregon ...

Q. I have a three-year old Japanese dissected maple tree near my home. The trunk is about three and one-half inches in diameter. Very near the ground is a fork, with another about three feet up the ...

The bright yellow blooms on this rather rangy shrub can substitute for sunshine, which means the end of gray winter days. The problem is that forsythia can awaken slowly some years, so waiting for the ...

Everyone seems to be gardening these days. If you’ve got questions, turn to Ask an Expert, an online question-and-answer tool from Oregon State University’s Extension Service. OSU Extension faculty ...

Just a few cuts can maintain their natural beauty. Japanese maples (Acer palmatum) aren’t going to provide shade over your backyard patio, but these ornamental trees can be the focal point of your ...