Advice Regarding Field Maple

Question

Hello. I have a field maple that has grown an unusual shape and I wondered what I need to do to it, if anything please? I’d be grateful For any advice you can offer, thanks.

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Answer 1

These trees require pruning and you can shape it into a shrub or tree.

If you want a hedge, just shorten the horizontal stems by about half, cutting just below a node. If you want a shade tree, remove the branch on the right side of the photo. Straighten the remaining stem with a stake, then trim off the top 3 or 4 inches to encourage branching. Continue to shape the tree as needed in late winter. Do not remove more than 25 to 30 percent of the tree at a time. Here is more:

https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/acer-campestre/