Pruning & Trimming Cherry Trees
Pruning and trimming cherry trees is crucial for the health of the tree and the quality of the fruit. By understanding how to properly prune and care for cherry trees, you can ensure that your tree grows to its full potential and produces an abundance of delicious and healthy cherry fruit. Here, we’ll take a look at why pruning is important, the various pruning techniques to use, and when and how to prune your cherry tree.
Why Prune a Cherry Tree?
Pruning is essential for cherry trees, especially when they are young. The trees require pruning when they are young to provide a strong internal structure that helps the tree withstand storms and other elements, while helping it grow to its full potential. Pruning can also help cherry trees produce more flowers and fruit.
By pruning a cherry tree, you are controlling the shape of the tree. This helps keep the growth in check and encourage a healthy shape for all new branches. Pruning will also remove dead or damaged branches, so they can’t cause further damage to the tree. Additionally, pruning a cherry tree helps eliminate overcrowding, which can damage the tree, reduce air circulation, and limit the amount of fruit it produces.
Pruning Techniques
When pruning your cherry tree, there are two main techniques you can use; crown-thinning and crown-reduction. Crown-thinning is used to reduce the density of the tree’s foliage, allowing light to penetrate deep inside the tree’s branches. This technique should be used on cherry trees that are fully mature, and should be done every few years.
On the other hand, crown-reduction is used to keep the overall size of the cherry tree under control. With this technique, an arborist will carefully reduce the size of each branch and the canopy to ensure a well balanced tree and reduce the weight of the cherry tree’s branches. This technique should be done every year if necessary.
When and How to Prune a Cherry Tree
It’s important to have the right timing and technique when it comes to pruning your cherry tree. Pruning should only be done on well-developed trees, as it may put younger cherry trees at risk of infection. Additionally, pruning is best done during the tree’s dormant period –usually between late fall and early spring. Pruning during this time allows the tree to better heal, as sap flow and new growth is minimal.
When pruning, it’s important to use sharp tools and maintain proper angle cuts when trimming and pruning. This will allow for seals to close quickly and reduce the risk of infection for the tree.
Maintaining a Healthy Cherry Tree
In order for your cherry tree to maintain its health and remain productive, it’s important to properly prune it regularly. Pruning will help control the tree’s growth and help the cherry tree reach its full potential by allowing the tree to produce more flowers and fruit. Properly pruning a cherry tree will help promote the tree’s health, promoting more abundant and delicious cherry fruit seasons.
Caring For Cherry Trees
In addition to pruning, it’s important to remember the basics of caring for your cherry tree. Ensure that your cherry tree is getting plenty of sunlight and water, and is mulched regularly. A well-mulched tree will help retain moisture, reduce weed growth, and moderate temperature among the roots and soil. Additionally, fertilize your cherry tree every early spring and/or early autumn, unless you’re using an organic mulch, as some contain fertilizer.
Harvesting & Uses of Cherry Fruit
Once your cherry tree has produced fruit, it’s time to harvest it. Many cherry fruit is ready to be harvested when the cherries turn a deep, dark red. Place a gentle twist on the stems of the cherries to pop them off, or you can also use kitchen shears or a sharp knife to remove the cherries from the tree. When harvesting cherries, it’s important to check for any signs of damage and discard any that don’t meet your standards. Additionally, store the cherries properly and eat them within a week for optimal taste and health benefits.
Cherry fruit can be used in many recipes or eaten as a snack. Some of the most popular uses for cherries include baking, making jam or preserves, and drying for later use in baked goodies or granola bars.
Benefits of Eating Cherry Fruit
Cherry fruit is packed with essential nutrients and vitamins, as well as antioxidants and flavonoids, which can help reduce the risk of certain types of cancer, lower blood pressure, and reduce inflammation. Studies have also shown that eating cherries can reduce symptoms of arthritis and gout, while promoting better sleep.
Common Pests & Diseases Affecting Cherry Trees
When caring for your cherry tree, it’s important to be mindful of the common pests and diseases that can affect it. The most common diseases affecting cherry trees include black knot, crown gall, powdery mildew, and fire blight. In regards to pests, cherry fruit flies and cherry borers are some of the common pests that may affect your cherry tree.
To prevent any of these from affecting your cherry tree, it’s important to regularly inspect your tree for any signs of pest and disease. Additionally, prompt removal of any injured or dead branches from your tree will help reduce the risk of any of these diseases or pests.
Conclusion
Cherry trees are a wonderful addition to any landscape, and with proper pruning, fertilization, and pest/disease control, they can provide an abundance of delicious and nutritious cherries. Knowing when and how to prune a cherry tree will help keep it healthy and productive, and ensure you have a delicious harvest every year.
