# Tree identification and pruning question

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tree-identification-and-pruning-question/693626>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [July 20, 2014, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tree-identification-and-pruning-question/693626 "2014-07-20T21:11:18Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 6\
**Page:** 1

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![RememberMe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/5fc32e/32.png) [@RememberMe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RememberMe)\
**Post date:** [July 20, 2014, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tree-identification-and-pruning-question/693626/1 "2014-07-20T21:11:18Z")

</div>

I am having trouble identifying the following tree. I think it is a variety of maple. Also, it is currently July in Georgia, can/should I prune a few of the lower branches before they get large? Will this also encourage the tree to start growing in diameter rather than height?

[http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/07/21/6y4aru2y.jpg](http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/07/21/6y4aru2y.jpg)

[http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/07/21/e6ega8ur.jpg](http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/07/21/e6ega8ur.jpg)

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Fishtar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ed655f/32.png) [@Fishtar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fishtar)\
**Post date:** [July 20, 2014, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tree-identification-and-pruning-question/693626/2 "2014-07-20T21:51:25Z")

</div>

A red maple? What color does it turn in the fall?

> **[Maple Tree Identification](http://www.maple-trees.com/pages/maple-tree-identification.php)**
>
> Maple-Trees.com - The Best Place Online to find Information about Maple Trees

Pruning to shape a tree in summer is good. Do not wait too much longer though. The only way to control the height is careful pruning throught the canopy. But some thought must be put into this beacause of auxin dominance and watersprouts. Lower branches can usually be attacked with impunity (just don’t leave any surfaces where water can collect or prune too close to the trunk)  
.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![picker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/picker/32/13969_2.png) [@picker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/picker)\
**Post date:** [July 20, 2014, 10:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tree-identification-and-pruning-question/693626/3 "2014-07-20T22:46:28Z")

</div>

My wife is a forester and a certified arborist. She said it is definitely some kind of maple, possibly an Amur Maple. But she is to point out that a) there are zillions of maples and b) she is only professionally familiar with Upper Midwestern and Northern California species, so YMMV.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![RememberMe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/5fc32e/32.png) [@RememberMe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RememberMe)\
**Post date:** [July 20, 2014, 10:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tree-identification-and-pruning-question/693626/4 "2014-07-20T22:54:34Z")

</div>

The leaves just turn brown and fall off. I know in the spring, the tree has a bunch of red things before the leaves come out.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Fishtar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ed655f/32.png) [@Fishtar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fishtar)\
**Post date:** [July 20, 2014, 11:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tree-identification-and-pruning-question/693626/5 "2014-07-20T23:40:59Z")

</div>

> [@RememberMe](#):
>
> The leaves just turn brown and fall off. I know in the spring, the tree has a bunch of red things before the leaves come out.

I would say likely a red maple then. Called red because of the flowers.

[![](http://plants.chaletnursery.com/Content/Images/Photos/A127-16.jpg) ](http://plants.chaletnursery.com/Content/Images/Photos/A127-16.jpg)

Sometimes the foliage goes red too, but depends on cultivar and if you get sudden frosts.  
Should grow to about 50’. Leaves look a bit splotchy though. Might need manganese or iron.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![RememberMe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/5fc32e/32.png) [@RememberMe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RememberMe)\
**Post date:** [July 21, 2014, 12:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tree-identification-and-pruning-question/693626/6 "2014-07-21T00:03:53Z")

</div>

That looks like it! Thanks everyone for the assistance!