I have a thick 14" Japanese maple, with a 6 foot leader. The taper is decent. wondering if i should cut the leader back so energy goes to thread grafts and needed low branch development, or do i let it be to help several large scars?
Was wondering how a 14" maple can have a 6' leader but I guess the main trunk is the but that's 14" but a big leader has been allowed to grow for development.
The cuts will definitely heal quicker with the leader intact and growing strong BUT the lower branches and thread grafts will be very slow while most of the energy goes into the leader.
My guess is the new leader is about as thick as you'd want it to get compared to the older trunk below. For me that usually signals time to chop the existing leader before it overthickens. You may decide to start another sacrifice leader to continue the trunk taper and heal the previous chops. Chopping the existing leader will give the grafts and branching a chance to gain some strength before another leader gets away.
The other option is to leave that leader another season to help heal the scars and accept slower development on the branches and grafts.
You are the one on the spot who can see all of what's going on so you are best placed to make the call.
