Acer Palmatum pruning?

[BreezySunnyDay]

I've got a lovely Japanese maple in my garden, about 25 years old. Genuinely the best thing in my garden.

Today a very helpful and well meaning friend was doing a bit of gardening for me in the back and apparently a neighbour asked if he could prune the Acer as it was overhanging her garden. He went ahead and did it but I was shocked when I came out and saw it - about half the tree cut off.

I've always been told that you can't prune them. Will it survive? It also looks very oddly shaped now.

To be fair those branches will likely spout their own branches, I think it’s fine. As said, I’ve one someone chopped in half and it’s sprouting a spikey haircut, said haircut is now about 4 foot long and gets bigger every year with more and more branch’s appearing.

@senua thank you, that makes me feel a bit better! I'll get used to looking at the new shape of it

@Forgetmenott agreed, I would never have agreed to him even touching it. I'll have to get someone to do it properly as my gardening skills are limited

That sounds hopeful.

What are the rules for pruning then, in terms of preserving a good shape?

Oh my goodness, I'd be really cross about this. What was your friend thinking of? There is no way on earth I'd do that without having had a conversation with you first.

Sorry I've no helpful advice. It's a lovely colour and I'm sure will recover. I'd be tempted to take those weird stumps back to the trunk - even if you do get growth from them they will look a little odd.

Thanks @WobblyLondoner, I know, I think he thought he was being super helpful and I'd be delighted. Very hard to get cross with someone who's doing your gardening as a favour though 😢
I will get it trimmed back and just enjoy what's left of it!