My Acer takes up too much space

My Acer palmatum is growing too big for its site. Am I okay to prune it back a couple of feet? – Maria, via email DAVID: They don’t usually like hard pruning, so gently and regularly is best – but keep it to a minimum. Wait until they are dormant for winter (Nov-jan), otherwise they will bleed sap which will weaken the plant. Follow the long branch back to a side branch and prune at this point where possible.