Cherry: pruning in the spring. Step-by-step instruction: how to properly cut a cherry

Sprawling branches of blossoming cherries are a charming ornament of any garden. A variety of varieties will please even the most demanding gardener. Interestingly this tree is also a form. It can be represented in the form of a stately tree or a branchy bush. In order for the cherry to enjoy not only the form, but also the abundance of the crop, it should be carefully and carefully taken care of. Care mainly includes annual pruning.

Pruning a cherry tree: why, how and when

The correct pruning of cherries in spring is extremely important for the health and viability of the plant. Photos of the process, placed later in the article, will demonstrate everything visually. This procedure allows to form the correct shape of the crown, inside which the air will circulate well and in which enough light will penetrate to ripen the fruit. The crown can be started to form for the fifth year after planting the plant.

Being a heat-loving culture, the cherry does not tolerate freezing and the trimming procedure, so it's better to start later, for example, in the second half of March, when the possibility of returning frosts is minimal. But the dates are variable depending on the climatic zone. A prerequisite is the beginning of the trimming before the start of the sap movement.

Cuts are first of all dried, diseased branches that can infect the entire tree, and damaged, "drinking" nutritious juices. All slices should be covered with garden wax or ointment for pruning, but not on a bituminous basis. The processing process depends largely on whether the bush or tree cherry grows in your garden.

Pruning in the spring cherry tree

The process of processing cherries - a complex, painstaking and requiring accuracy.

1. The first level of branches starts at a distance of 70 cm - 1 m above the ground. The branches below are removed.
2. Pruning is at an angle. All the intertwining branches are deleted.
3. Particular attention is paid to giving the crown a vase-like shape.
4. Annual shoots are shortened. This allows us to obtain a sufficient number of lateral branches and new bouquet branches.
5. The barrel height of 3.5 meters or more requires a vertical restriction on growth.

Pruning of a bush cherry

Requires merciless thinning bush cherry. Pruning in spring of trees of this variety has a number of features, as they tend to thicken, which, in turn, leads to the melting of fruits and a decrease in yield.

1. The lower branches should move away from the trunk at an angle of a maximum of 40 degrees, otherwise the tree may break in time.
2. Creating a good powerful skeleton requires pruning branches that compete with the main trunk.
3. Two-year-old saplings cut pruning branches that have reached a length of half a meter. They can be shortened by a third.
4. All shoots growing to the ground are removed.
5. Half-skeletal and skeletal shoots are shortened to sleeping buds.
6. Leave the shoots can only be a plant that has reached 80 cm in height.
7. We work well sharpened tool.

Specifics of pruning a young cherry

Pruning the cherry in the spring during planting will ensure the formation of a strong, abundantly fruiting adult plant with a good crown and a strong root system. First of all it follows:

• Identify the branch leader. This will be the strongest vertical branch;
• For the crown to leave 5 branches, located at a distance of 10 cm from each other and directed in different directions.
• Branch-shoots, growing at an angle or diagonally, to cut off;
• Sprouts, located on the base of the trunk, remove to strengthen the supply of the whole tree;
• Be sure to cut intersecting branches.

It should be remembered that the bush cherry, in contrast to the tree, fructifies only on annual shoots, and hence, the pruning of cherries in the spring should be more thorough. In general, pruning should be approached carefully and carefully, as it is now laying the growth of the plant and its fruiting. Errors in the process can become the main cause of low yields.

Rejuvenation of the old tree

A gradual process of rejuvenation requires a mature cherry. Pruning in spring will ensure an increase in yield. One general rule is for all cherries and tree-like and bushy: do not remove many branches at once.

Bared ends of branches of bush cherry indicate the need for pruning. The number of branches is reduced by shortening the length of the shoot by one-half or one-third. To the level of sleeping buds, skeletal and semi-skeletal branches should be removed. To delete them it is necessary in different years, that is in one year skeletal branches are cut off, in another - полускелетные. Otherwise, the plant will not have enough strength for fruiting.

Tree-like varieties rejuvenate a little differently. Annual shoots are shortened very little, because they will subsequently be fruit. The crown should be rejuvenated if the bases of the skeletal branches are bare, and their annual increment does not exceed 15 cm. In case of shrinking branches in the middle of the crown, cut off the side branches on the five-year-old wood.

Specificity of trimming of felt cherry varieties

Felted cherry has a fragrant, juicy and tender fruit. Fruiting begins the next year after planting. Productivity is high. All this is obtained with proper care and timely pruning. Pruning a felt cherry in spring should be done annually and be strong, as the crown of the plant is heavily thickened. Harvest is mainly formed on annual shoots, and more of them will ensure greater yield. However, they should still be shortened by one-third if the length of the shoot exceeds 60 cm. Pruning in the spring involves removing all old, diseased, damaged, cracked or dried branches, as well as those that are directed inwards. On the old felt cherry, the side shoots are removed to the ring, while the central part of the crown and the peripheral skeletal branches should not be touched. After thinning, 12 strong shoots must 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 variety. A well-formed young trees will consistently produce a high yield of ripe and juicy berries.