These things were very overgrown and they had been pruned consistently with hedge trimmers. This creates dense growth on the outside with very little inside. Without maintenance hand pruning (with loppers or small hand pruners) to keep it in check and let light in, they get to be monsters. These were crowding the entrance and the Japanese maple so something had to be done. It just didn’t go far enough. I advise barely touching Japanese maples. Their natural shape is so gorgeous. If you plan to p