Japanese Maple am I doing the right thing ?

[Paulneill]

Thanks Craig

Ok now I'm dead set on reducing the height of this tree by a third . and am
Wondering if is safe to chop again this season or not keeping in mind it got chopped hard last winter and root pruned hard as well . I read it is ok to chop maples mid summer when semi dormant but this info was from a uk grower and there summers are a lot
Cooler .
I don't want to take any chances with this one . I just had a thought if I was to chop it mid summer it should backbud and the new growth may struggle with the harsh sun and heat

[Scott Roxburgh]

Don't insult the tree more than once in a growing season!

If you must chop again, stop pinching, fertilise as you are, and let it grow all season. When/if (sydney) it colours in autumn, take off the old leaves and chop to existing growth not to a bare trunk.

ATM this tree should have long internodes, and really strong coarse growth, that means that it is healthy! Next year, if it is healthy enough it will throw out buds from the trunk that you can wire up as new branches.