{"id":1253,"date":"2023-02-15T11:27:46","date_gmt":"2023-02-15T10:27:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.branchthetree.com\/?p=1253"},"modified":"2023-02-24T11:43:42","modified_gmt":"2023-02-24T10:43:42","slug":"can-you-top-a-cherry-tree","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.branchthetree.com\/can-you-top-a-cherry-tree\/","title":{"rendered":"Can you top a cherry tree?"},"content":{"rendered":"

A cherry tree is a fruit-bearing tree that belongs to the genus Prunus, which also includes plums, almonds, and peaches. The sweet cherry that we eat fresh or use in pies and cherries is Prunus avium, while the tart or sour cherry is Prunus cerasus.<\/p>\n

A cherry tree cannot be topped.<\/p>\n

How do you reduce the height of a cherry tree? <\/h2>\n

Pruning is an important part of fruit tree care. Once the fruit has been picked, remove any dead, damaged or diseased branches. Shorten the tips of the remaining branches by about a third of their new growth to help encourage the development of fruit buds. Cut out any side-shoots that are over 30cm long, and thin out very crowded shoots.<\/p>\n

If you want to remove any branches growing beyond the height that you can reach to pick fruit, the best time to do so is during summer pruning. Prune the tree to the same height annually to encourage new, vigorous growth near the top of the tree.<\/p>\n

Is it OK to top a fruit tree <\/h3>\n
\"Can
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Topping a vertical branch encourages vegetative growth necessary for development of the tree and creates a bushing effect. Topping horizontal branches is done to renew fruiting wood and to thin off excessive fruit. Thinning vertical branches opens the tree to more light. Thinning horizontal branches removes fruit.<\/p>\n

The standard Bing cherry typically grows to a height of about 35′ and a spread about 25′ at maturity. The dwarf variety grows to a height of 12–15′ with a spread of about 12–15′. Bing cherries are self-fertile, meaning that they do not require another cherry variety for pollination in order to produce fruit.<\/p>\n

Can you stop a tree from growing taller? <\/h2>\n

When a tree outgrows its space, gardeners must decide if it is worth reducing it in size. This is usually achieved through pruning, but it can be hard work and expensive. The alternative is to replace the tree with one to suit the space, but this is not always practical.<\/p>\n

Pruning cherry trees annually helps to keep them compact, making the fruit easier to pick and protecting it from birds. It also means the trees take up less space. Pruning ensures there is a good balance of older fruiting wood and younger replacement branches.<\/p>\n

How do you prune a tree that is too tall? <\/h2>\n
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When pruning trees, it is important to make the cuts at the right angle and height in order to avoid damaging the tree. When pruning a tall tree, the cuts should be made just above lateral branches that are at least one-third the diameter of the branch being removed. The cuts should be made at a 45-degree angle, sloping away from the center of the tree. This will help to reduce the size of the tree without causing damage.<\/p>\n

Autumn and winter pruning is not recommended because sweet cherries are prone to silver leaf fungus and bacterial canker, both of which attack the tree through pruning cuts. Young cherry trees (0-3 years) should be pruned in the early spring because young trees are more susceptible to frost damage.<\/p>\n

How do you prune an old neglected cherry tree <\/h3>\n

If you have an older fruit tree that you would like to renovate, the first step is to prune away any dead or broken branches, as well as any sucker growth around the bottom of the trunk. Once you have removed all of the dead and broken material, you will be able to see the healthy portions of the tree more clearly. From there, you can decide how much further pruning is necessary in order to achieve the desired shape and size for your tree.<\/p>\n

When you cut off the top of a tree, you permanently damage it. The tree can never be completely restored. If you want to improve the tree, you need to hire an arborist.