Many of us have ever eaten ripe cherries, but not everyone knows how to grow them properly. And in order to reap a good harvest, you need to master some pruning techniques. Not in every garden you will find such an amazing tree as a cherry, as it is quite whimsical in its care. But if everything is done correctly, it will bear fruit well - the berries will be large, sweet and in large quantities. Cherry pruning is the main method of tree care. We will consider all the tips and rules on this matter further. They will help beginner gardeners.
Why cropping is needed
Make it so that the tree bears good fruit. Cherries are pruned, usually at a young age. This procedure helps to form the correct crown of the tree. This can be done from spring to autumn. It is worth remembering that the older the tree gets, the more it requires care. One pruning will not do here. For everything to work out right, you need to follow the main goals and know what it is for:
- so that all branches are well lit by the sun;
- to form a strong crown near the tree;
- to heal the tree;
- to maintain one crown size.
In order for each item to be observed, you need to study all the available ways to care for a tree. You also need to know what the correct cherry pruning pattern looks like. For novice gardeners, we suggest that you familiarize yourself with all the subtleties.
Simple tips
Worth sorting out a few tips from experienced gardeners:
- When making each cut, it is worth remembering that it will definitely affect the growth and development of sweet cherries. If it is done incorrectly or out of time, then the fruitful system of the tree will be disrupted.
- You need to know where and how cherry pruning is done.
- Must learn and become familiar with proper pruning techniques.
- For the procedure, you need to prepare a well-sharpened garden tool.
- The tree tolerates only small cuts well. Therefore, if possible, only do this while the tree is young.
When cherries are pruned
Pruning cherries requires an optimal time of year. From the moment the tree is planted in the ground, and before fruiting, pruning must be done. In this case, one should adhere to the main task - to correctly form skeletal branches. In the future, this will help to get new shoots. Pruning cherries is to remove annual shoots and extra branches that take strength from the tree. Large branches are cut to half the length, and medium and small - to 1/3 of the length. As a result, the crown of the tree will be lush and strong. Such a procedure must be carried out without fail with each tree. Otherwise, do not expect from cherrieslarge and rich harvest. It is also worth considering the time of year for woodworking.
Pruning cherries in autumn
Tree processing in the autumn period must be carried out. This is the best time to prepare cherries for the next season. Pruning a tree in the fall will help to give a large and high-quality harvest. Processing is done after all the leaves have completely fallen off. At the same time, you can immediately cut off all rotten branches and prepare the tree for wintering.
Tree pruning in springtime
Pruning cherries in the spring helps to make the correct shape of the tree. Experienced gardeners make it in such a way that the branches grow in a horizontal position. This helps in the future to conveniently collect cherries. It is worth considering how cherry pruning should be done in the spring. The processing scheme is as follows:
1. In the first spring after planting a tree, it is necessary to mark the height of the stem on it. 7–8 buds are counted upwards from it and the first cut is made in this place.
2. In the second year, several branches are selected among the side shoots and begin to form the initial tier of the crown. The lowest shoot is shortened by half its length, and all the rest are adjusted to its size. About 65–70 cm are measured from the topmost branch and cut off.
3. In the third year of life, sweet cherries cut branches to the size of the first tier, and all new shoots that grow towards the center are removed.
4. For the fourth spring, the central branch is shortened so thatprevent accelerated tree growth. The shoots that belong to the third tier are cut off. They should be shorter than the center branch.
As you can see from the diagram, pruning cherries in the spring is a procedure that takes more than one year. This is the gradual preparation of the tree for a good harvest.
Pruning a tree in summer
You can prune a young tree in the summer, but do it only when necessary. Summer is a favorable time of the year for such processing. During this period, you can do this procedure no more than three times. This time is great for removing any extra overgrown branches or those that have dried out and rotted. If the tree is old, then in the summer you can start updating it. Cherry rejuvenation consists in removing all old wood. All wounds must be treated with special preparations. So that the tree does not die and endure such a procedure well, do it gradually over several years.
To collect a rich harvest of tasty and fragrant cherries every year, you need to properly care for the tree. Then it will be strong and fruitful. To do this, it is necessary that cherry pruning is constantly carried out in the spring. The scheme presented above will help inexperienced gardeners cope. These skills are easy to master. It is worth arming yourself with a secateurs and following the advice. The main thing in this matter is not to rush and follow the instructions.
