Pruning cherry trees is a vital task for anyone who wants to grow healthy, productive trees. Whether you’re growing sweet cherries for their delicious fruit or ornamental weeping cherries for their beauty, knowing how and when to prune is key.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through the essentials of cherry tree pruning, covering why it’s important, the best times to do it, and how to get it right for different types of cherry trees.
Contents
Why Prune Cherry Trees
Maybe you don’t have to prune cherry trees, but by doing it you’ll have huge benefits for your fruit harvest. Here are some reasons why you should prune your cherry tree.
- Optimal Sunlight Exposure
Pruning helps ensure that every part of your cherry tree gets enough sunlight. By removing excess branches, you allow sunlight to penetrate deep into the tree, which leads to better fruit quality and healthier growth.
- Improved Air Circulation
Good air circulation is crucial for preventing diseases in cherry trees. Pruning opens up the tree’s canopy, allowing air to move freely through the branches. This reduces humidity around the leaves and fruit, helping to keep fungal diseases at bay.
- Disease Prevention
One of the most important reasons to prune is to remove diseased or dead branches. These can harbor pests and pathogens that could spread to the rest of the tree. Regular pruning keeps your tree healthy by getting rid of these potential problems before they escalate.
- Enhanced Fruit Production
When you prune your cherry tree correctly, you’re directing its energy towards producing more and better fruit. Pruning helps balance the growth of new branches with fruit production, leading to a more bountiful harvest.
- Easier Harvesting
A well-pruned tree is easier to manage when it comes time to harvest. By shaping your tree and removing hard-to-reach branches, you make it easier to pick the fruit when it’s ripe.
- Aesthetic Appeal
Lastly, pruning isn’t just about the tree’s health and productivity, it also makes your tree look great. A well-pruned cherry tree has a beautiful, balanced shape that enhances the overall look of your garden.
When to Prune Cherry Trees
The general rule of pruning fruit trees is to do so when it’s still at dormant stage during winter. But there are some exception when pruning cherry trees.
- Sweet Cherries: Late Summer Pruning
For sweet cherry trees, the best time to prune is in late summer, after the fruit has been harvested. This timing helps reduce the risk of diseases that can take hold if the tree is pruned too early or too late in the season.
- Sour and Weeping Cherries: Late Winter/Early Spring Pruning
Sour and weeping cherry trees are best pruned during the dormant season, which is in late winter or early spring. This is when the tree is not actively growing, making it the ideal time to shape young trees and prepare them for the growing season ahead.
- Dormant Pruning for Mature Trees
If you have mature cherry trees, consider doing more aggressive pruning during the winter. This helps the tree conserve energy and focus on producing strong, healthy growth in the spring.
- Summer Pruning: Minimal Thinning
During the summer, you can do some light pruning to thin out crowded branches. This helps maintain the tree’s shape and prevents it from becoming too dense, while still allowing it to continue growing healthily.
How to Prune Cherry Trees
There are some preparation and something that you need to know to get the best result when pruning your cherry tree.
- Tools and Preparation
Before you start pruning, make sure you have the right tools on hand. Always use sterilized tools to prevent the spread of diseases. Essential pruning tools include a sharp pair of pruning shears, loppers for thicker branches, and a pruning saw for larger limbs.
- Pruning Young Trees: Developing an Open Vase Shape
When your cherry tree is young, focus on developing an open vase shape. This involves pruning to create a structure where the main branches spread out from the center, allowing light and air to penetrate the entire tree.
- Creating Scaffold Whorls
In the first few years, aim to create scaffold whorls—these are sets of branches that grow out from the trunk at different heights. This structure helps support the tree as it matures and bears fruit.
- Pruning Mature Trees: Removing Vertical Growth
For mature trees, focus on removing any vertical growth, as these branches tend to produce less fruit. By redirecting the tree’s energy to the horizontal branches, you encourage better fruit production.
- Dealing with Dead or Diseased Limbs
Regularly check your tree for any dead or diseased branches, and prune them out immediately. Removing these branches prevents the spread of diseases and keeps the tree healthy.
- Handling Crossing Branches
Branches that cross or rub against each other can cause wounds that are susceptible to diseases. Prune these branches to prevent damage and keep the tree’s structure sound.
- Applying Tree Sealant
After making larger cuts, it’s a good idea to apply tree sealant to protect the wound and prevent diseases from entering the tree.
- Pruning Weeping Cherry Trees: Managing Suckers and Non-Weeping Rootstock
Weeping cherry trees require special attention to maintain their unique shape. Regularly remove any suckers these are shoots that grow from the base of the tree and non-weeping branches that can disrupt the tree’s weeping form.
- Maintaining Uniform Weeping Height
To keep your weeping cherry tree looking its best, prune regularly to maintain a consistent weeping height. This will help preserve the tree’s graceful, drooping shape.
Detailed Seasonal Pruning Guide
- Timing by USDA Zones
Pruning schedules can vary depending on your location. Tailor your pruning routine based on the USDA hardiness zone you’re in, and adjust for your local climate conditions.
- Climate-Specific Tips
Different climates can affect how and when you should prune. In warmer regions, you might need to prune earlier, while colder areas may require you to wait longer.
- Visual Timelines
Consider using visual aids, like timelines or charts, to help plan your pruning schedule. These tools can be especially useful for keeping track of when to prune each type of cherry tree.
Practical Tips and Troubleshooting
- Common Pruning Mistakes
Even experienced gardeners can make mistakes when pruning. Some common errors include pruning too much or too little, cutting at the wrong time, or using the wrong tools. Learn from these mistakes and adjust your approach accordingly.
- Tool Recommendations
Invest in good quality pruning tools to make the job easier and more effective. Look for tools that are sharp, durable, and comfortable to use.
Conclusion
Pruning is an essential part of cherry tree care, helping to ensure healthy growth, abundant fruit production, and a beautiful tree. By following the guidelines in this post, you’ll be well on your way to mastering the art of cherry tree pruning.
If you have any questions or want to share your experiences, feel free to leave a comment below!