Swag how-to

Harvest about 12 maple stems, making cuts back to just above a side branch, as you would for usual pruning.

Poke the liquidambar leaves into a tied bunch of wispy branches or a purchased swag base, working from one end to the other; weave their short stems a bit among the twigs to secure them. Fill in with the Japanese maple clippings, working the stem ends into the swag base to hold everything in place.