When it comes to pruning a cherry tree, timing is everything. To maximize the beauty and health of the tree, your pruning techniques must be closely aligned with the tree’s natural growth pattern and the seasonal changes in weather. Prune cherry trees at the wrong time and you could damage or even kill them. Yet, get it right, and pruning can foster optimal growth and flowering and increase the production of cherry fruits.
Typically, cherry trees that produce edible fruit can be divided into two broad categories: sweet cherries and sour cherries. Sweet cherry trees require a different pruning strategy than sour cherries, so it’s important to know what type of tree you have before you attempt pruning.
Pruning a sweet cherry tree is best done when it’s dormant, sometime between late November and late March (in the northern hemisphere). Generally speaking, light pruning of sweet cherries might be carried out in late summer while they are in full bloom. If you are looking to carry out more extensive pruning, than it’s best done when the tree is in full dormancy. That way, pruning cuts won’t bleed sap and will be better able to heal.
Sour cherry trees should follow a similar pruning programme as sweet cherries. Heavy pruning should, however, be avoided as sour cherries often have a naturally short life-span. Again, light pruning might be done in summer while the tree is in bloom, with more extensive pruning carried out in winter, while the tree is dormant.
Before you start pruning, there are some essential precautions that you must take. Make sure your secateurs and pruning saws are properly sterilized. Pruning tools can quickly become diseased and can then spread infection to cherry trees. Use a bottle of diluted bleach, diluted one-to-nine, and make sure all tools are completely dry before using them.
When pruning is complete, remember to feed and water the tree regularly. After each pruning, cherry trees will appreciate a good dose of nitrogen-rich plant-food. This will help to balance out the loss of energy and encourage healthy and strong new growth.
Choosing the Right Pruning Tools
When pruning cherry trees, you should select the right tool for the job. For smaller branches, hand pruners are sufficient and are ideal for creating a more rounded shape. For larger branches, lopping shears and pruning saws come in handy. It’s paramount to choose the right set of tools if you want to prune your cherry tree effectively.
Pruning saws are a great choice for pruning any branch with a diameter of more than 2.5cm. They can also work their way through very long branches, allowing you to cut out the entire branch in one go.
The most important thing to consider when it comes to pruning tools is the condition of the blades. Dull blades can ruin the tree and make the pruning process more difficult. To maintain your pruning tools, store them in a dry place away from direct sunlight and regularly sharpen the blades.
Training Your Cherry Tree
For most cherry trees, the pruning process should begin at an early age. Training a young cherry tree involves removing any weak or dead branches and promoting the growth of fruiting wood which will give you an abundant crop of cherries.
To ensure optimal growth of the tree, you should prune the branches to a V-shaped crotch, making sure the branches are not too close together. Encouraging a strong central leader is essential in order to form a healthy framework and should be done when the tree is young.
When training your cherry tree, it is also important to prune out any competing leaders. These short branches compete with the main leader and can be detrimental to tree growth. They should be removed as soon as you see them, just make sure not to remove too many branches at once.
If you follow these simple pruning guidelines, your cherry tree will be well on its way to a strong and healthy branching structure.
Pruning Fruiting Wood
Fruiting wood is the central part of the tree which produces blossoms and fruits. Pruning this part of the tree is necessary to encourage fruiting as it helps remove dead and weak branches which hinder production.
When pruning fruiting wood, make sure to remove any dead or diseased branches. These branches will be visibly darker with small bumps or oozing sap which indicates fungal or bacterial infection. Once they are removed, the healthy wood is left to take its place.
For trees that are already established and producing cherries, pruning should focus on removing dead wood and thinning out fruiting wood. Removing too much can lead to a decrease in crop production and a weakened structure, so prune judiciously.
Pruning for Long-Term Health
Regardless of the goal of your pruning, the ultimate aim should always be a healthy tree which produces a bountiful crop of cherries. In order to achieve this, you must know about your tree species and prune with the tree’s long-term health in mind.
One way to do this is by removing any branches that are negatively impacting the tree’s overall structure. These could include branches which are crossing, or ones that are growing inwards and rubbing against one another.
In addition to this, you should prune out any damaged and diseased branches straight away. These can often lead to the spreading of infection, and if not treated quickly, can have severe implications for the health and longevity of the tree.
Understand Your Tree
Each cherry tree has its own distinct characteristics, and a good pruner will be aware of the different nuances for each species. The aim of pruning should be to shape the tree and facilitate its naturally-occurring growth patterns.
Make sure to do your research and always prune when the tree is dormant if you’re looking to make more extensive cuts. Doing so will help to ensure that your cherry tree flourishes and produces a generous crop of cherries.
Regular Maintenance
Since pruning is an essential part of maintaining a healthy cherry tree, it is important to have a thorough understanding of the principles behind it. Knowing when and how to prune will ensure that your tree is correctly groomed and that it produces a bountiful harvest of cherries.
Be sure to carry out regular maintenance. This could involve anything from removing dead and diseased branches to removing competing branches and thinning out fruiting wood. Regular pruning also keeps your tree in a good shape and encourages optimal growth.
Local Climate
Pruning should always take into account the local climate. Depending on the region, flower buds of cherry trees can be triggered prematurely when pruned too early. This could lead to the blossoms being killed off by the cold, meaning no cherries will be produced.
Therefore, it is important to be aware of the local weather forecast before pruning your cherry tree. If temperatures are expected to drop, try and avoid pruning until after bloom time has passed.
Seasons of Pruning
Optimal times for pruning cherry trees vary depending on the species and type of tree. Sweet cherry trees tend to be pruned between late November and late March while sour cherry trees are usually pruned between late winter and late summer. Knowing when to prune can make all the difference in encouraging a stellar crop of cherries.
Ultimately, having a thorough knowledge of your cherry tree’s particular species and its growth cycles will help you to prune it for maximum health and production. Pruning at the wrong time can be detrimental to the tree’s health, so take the necessary precautions and be patient.
