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.

Keep your Japanese maple looking bright and beautiful through the hottest part of summer by doing these simple tasks now.

A common piece of advice you will hear is to prune trees during the winter while they are dormant. I often give that advise myself and, for most kinds of trees, that is a good rule to follow. However, ...

Q: My sister gave me two silver maples to plant. However, the maples look more like bushes than trees. When should I start pruning so I can get them to look more like trees? Which branches should be ...

Pruning Japanese maples is essential for their care, but many gardeners struggle with the proper technique. Poor pruning can "destroy their beautiful shape and foliage", warned horticulture specialist ...

Q. When is the best time to prune a maple? I’ve called several nurseries in town and some tell me right now and others say wait until December or January. Also, is there a pruning guide that you ...

Small trees and shrubs are an important part of most landscapes. While foliage can hide problems through the growing season, this is a good time of year to take a close look at branching patterns.

Keep your Japanese maple looking bright and beautiful through the hottest part of summer by doing these simple tasks now.