Spreading branches of cherry blossoms are a charming decoration in any garden. A variety of varieties will please even the most demanding gardener. This tree is also interesting in shape. It can be presented in the form of a stately tree or a spreading bush. In order for the cherry to please not only with its shape, but also with the abundance of the harvest, it should be carefully and carefully looked after. Maintenance mainly includes yearly pruning.
Pruning a cherry tree: why, how and when
Proper pruning of cherries in the spring is extremely important for the he alth and vitality of the plant. Photos of the process, posted later in the article, will demonstrate everything clearly. This procedure allows you to form the correct shape of the crown, inside which air will circulate well and into which enough light will penetrate for the fruit to ripen. The crown can begin to form in the fifth year after planting.
Being a heat-loving crop, cherries do not tolerate frost and pruning, so it's best to start later, for example, duringthe second half of March, when the possibility of frost returning is minimal. But the timing varies depending on the climate zone. A prerequisite is the beginning of pruning before the start of the sap flow process.
First of all, dried, diseased branches are cut off, which can infect the entire tree, and damaged, "drinking" nutritious juices. All cuts should be covered with garden pitch or pruning ointment, but not on a bituminous basis. The processing process largely depends on whether your garden grows shrub or tree cherry.
Pruning spring cherry tree
The process of processing cherries is complex, laborious and requires accuracy.
- The first level of branches starts at a distance of 70 cm - 1 m above the ground. Branches below are removed.
- Cutting is done at an angle. All intertwining branches are removed.
- Special attention is paid to giving the crown a vase shape.
- Annual shoots are shortened weakly. This allows you to get a sufficient number of lateral branches and new bouquet branches.
- Trunk height of 3.5 meters or more requires vertical growth restriction.
Pruning bush cherry
Requires ruthless thinning bush cherry. Pruning in the spring of trees of this variety has a number of features, as they are prone to thickening, which, in turn, leads to smaller fruits and lower yields.
- Lower branches should move away fromtrunk at a maximum angle of 40 degrees, otherwise the tree may break over time.
- Building a good strong skeleton requires pruning branches that compete with the main trunk.
- Two-year-old seedlings are cut off branches that have reached a length of half a meter. They can be shortened by a third.
- All shoots growing towards the ground are removed.
- Semi-skeletal and skeletal shoots are shortened to dormant buds.
- You can only leave shoots with a plant that has reached 80 cm in height.
- We work with a well-sharpened tool.
Pruning specifics of young cherries
Pruning cherries in the spring at planting will ensure the formation of a strong, abundantly fruiting adult plant with a good crown and a strong root system. First of all follows:
- determine the leader branch. This will be the strongest vertical branch;
- for the crown, leave 5 branches, located at a distance of 10 cm from each other and directed in different directions.
- shoot branches growing at an angle or diagonally, cut off;
- shoots located at the base of the trunk, remove to enhance the nutrition of the whole tree;
- be sure to prune crossing branches.
It should be remembered that bushy cherries, unlike tree cherries, bear fruit only on annual shoots, which means that cherry pruning in spring should be more thorough. In general, pruning should be approached thoughtfully and carefully, since it is now that the growth of the plant and its fruiting is taking place. Errors in the process can be the main reasonlow yield.
Rejuvenation of an old tree
Mature cherries also require a phased rejuvenation process. Pruning in the spring will increase yields. There is one general rule for all cherries, both tree-like and bush-like: do not remove many branches at once.
The bare ends of bushy cherry branches indicate the need for pruning. At the same time, the number of branches is reduced by shortening the length of the shoot by half or a third. To the level of dormant buds, skeletal and semi-skeletal branches should be removed. They must be removed in different years, that is, skeletal branches are cut in one year, and semi-skeletal ones in another. Otherwise, the plant will not have enough strength to bear fruit.
Tree varieties rejuvenate a little differently. Annual shoots are shortened quite a bit, because it is on them that the fruits will subsequently appear. The crown should be rejuvenated if the bases of the skeletal branches are bare and their annual growth does not exceed 15 cm.
Felt cherries pruning specifics
Felt cherry has fragrant, juicy and tender fruits. Fruiting begins the next year after planting. The yield is high. All this is obtained with proper care and timely pruning. Felt cherry pruning in spring should be done annually and be strong, as the crown of the plant is very dense. The crop is mainly formed on annual shoots, and more of them will provide a greater yield. However, they are stillshould be shortened by a third if the length of the shoot exceeds 60 cm. Cherry pruning in the spring involves the removal of all old, diseased, damaged, cracked or dried branches, as well as those that are directed inward. On an old felt cherry, side shoots are removed to the ring, while the central part of the crown and peripheral skeletal branches should not be affected. After thinning, 12 strong shoots should remain.
If you want a beautiful fruit-bearing cherry to grow in your garden, pruning in the spring should be carried out taking into account the condition of the tree, its age and varietal affiliation. And well-formed young trees will allow you to consistently get a high yield of ripe and juicy berries.
