(Image credit: Getty Images / Jacky Parker) How do I prune an old cherry tree? It is best to avoid pruning cherry trees in early winter as the tree will not have the stored energy to heal wounds caused by pruning.
It is also easier to see the structure of the tree in winter, to help determine which branches to prune. If you live in a cold climate, pruning cherry trees in late winter, when the tree is dormant, with no leaves or fruit, will encourage more rapid growth. 'Great candidates for spring or summer pruning include cherry trees, which, if left alone, can grow up to three stories tall,' explains Susan Poizner of Orchard People (opens in new tab), who provide education and consulting on fruit tree care. In addition, it encourages slower growth of the tree. Those who prune a cherry tree in late summer believe this is the best way to avoid the tree developing disease. Opinion is a little divided and there are those that prefer to prune cherry trees in winter, others are spring pruners and some are summer pruners. Pruning is never normally a good idea in a growing season as when the tree is most active the flow of sap is greater, so more energy to waste from leaks and more to attract pests.(Image credit: Getty Images / Igor Stevanovic) When should a cherry tree be pruned? Though also mentions You can have confidence in knowing that not everyone will prune the exact same way (including the “experts”) and with their video (which shows some relevant practical details, like aiming to allow light and air into the centre) offer late winter and early spring, while they are dormant and before their buds break. In Zone 6 and farther north, you should wait until late winter. Plan to prune your fruit trees during every dormant season. Unless ease of protecting the fruit from birds and harvesting is more important for you (assuming you do not have access to the equipment Woodyatt Cherry Farms has!) in which case you would presumably prefer the canopy as low as possible – see for instance How do I prune a cherry tree to keep it short?.įor timing, Stark Bro's advises (about pruning in general): The level at which low branches near the trunk will be an obstruction will rise with age but since planted in grass you presumably will be mowing and so may appreciate reasonable headroom, so might want to end up with about 4' of bare trunk. In your case ~10% at present seems to mean at most two (whole) branches. Evenly distribute pruned branches to maintain a nicely shaped tree. Cut damaged, older and the least-productive stems back from where they originate, using pruning shears, loppers or a pruning saw. Prune approximately 10 percent of the limbs each winter to increase sunlight to the center of the tree and to encourage new growth, which in turn will produce more fruit.
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