Gardening columnist Don Kinzler answers questions about treating a maple tree that's shedding leaves, pruning a hibiscus before bringing it indoors, and how to get an African violet to bloom again.

Don’t be a plant wrecker. Prune well and you help a tree or shrub remain healthy.

When to Prune Japanese Maple Trees Do the bulk of Japanese maple pruning in the late winter or early spring months, during the tree’s dormancy period and after the extreme cold has passed.