Nuances and technology for pruning cherries in spring

The yield of sweet cherries largely depends on the condition of the tree. In order for it to bear fruit better, its crown must be regularly trimmed. This procedure must be carried out very carefully, following a number of simple rules.

Cherry pruning is usually done in the spring. This procedure helps to solve several problems at once.

• Heal the plant. In nature, cherries grow very quickly. This leads to the fact that the branches begin to break off under the weight of the crop. The tree dries up and ages quickly. Timely pruning saves cherries and makes them healthier.
• Increase the amount of harvest. With the growth of the crown, the fruits become small and tasteless. In addition, their number is also decreasing. Timely pruning of cherries helps to quickly solve this problem.
• Make plants stronger. This is true for both young seedlings and old trees. Crown pruning helps to develop resistance to temperature extremes. Therefore, trees become more resistant to frost.
• Simplify the harvesting process. Harvesting from a tree with a neat crown is much easier. Indeed, in the process, the gardener is not interfered with by branches growing in different directions. It also becomes much easier for gardeners to care for the tree.
• Protect your garden from pests. In a dense and neglected crown, various pests often settle. In addition, it is an excellent breeding ground for bacteria. Timely pruning of a dense crown and cleaning the area from old branches and leaves can protect your garden from diseases and many pests. To consolidate the result, the trees must be additionally treated with special preparations.

It is important to carry out spring pruning of cherries at the right time. This should be done at a time when the tree is still at rest. It is best to prune branches at freezing temperatures. In such conditions, the tree will be much more comfortable.

Choosing the perfect time for this procedure, you should focus on the climatic features of the region.

• Middle lane. In the Moscow region, stone fruit trees are pruned at the end of the first spring month. At this time, the air temperature rises, so the plant will calmly survive this procedure.
• South. In the southern regions, you can start pruning trees in the second half of February. If the winter is protracted, the procedure is postponed until the first half of March.
• Northwest. In the Leningrad and other northern regions, cherry pruning is postponed until the second half of April. The same is done in the Urals and Siberia. If you prune cherries in early spring, the tree can weaken significantly.

There are several types of cherry crown pruning. Each of them has its own characteristics.

• Formative. Crown formation occurs in the first years after planting. This procedure is essential for the normal development of the young tree. In addition, it contributes to a generous harvest. Formative pruning does not damage the cherries.It makes the tree stronger, more attractive and easier to maintain.
• Supportive. The formed cherry crown must always be kept in good condition. Maintenance pruning is done annually. In the process, all unnecessary shoots and tops are removed. As a rule, gardeners remove very few branches.
• Sanitary. Sweet cherries, like other garden trees, often suffer from various diseases, as well as the effects of pests. Removing damaged branches usually helps to keep the garden healthy and also to keep the site from contamination. You can carry out such pruning at any time of the year, including in the spring. This must be done very carefully.
• Anti-aging. Such pruning is needed for mature trees. It is held every few years. The rest of the time, the tree needs to be inspected, checking whether tops have appeared on it. They must be removed immediately with a sharp secateurs. If the spring is rainy and very cold, rejuvenating pruning can be transferred to early summer.
• In order to limit growth upward. This procedure is carried out from time to time. The gardener must be able to independently determine whether it is needed or not. To keep the tree not too tall, the branches raised up are shortened. This procedure helps to activate the growth of young shoots. In addition, pruning the branches that grow upwards leads to an increase in the fruitfulness of the cherries. Indeed, after shortening such shoots, the side branches begin to receive more nutrients.

Before carrying out the procedure, it is important for the gardener to prepare all the necessary tools.

• Pruner. It is used to remove thin branches. When cutting shoots with pruning shears, the cuts must be made oblique.
• Lopper. A tool with long handles is used to remove branches located in the crown itself. It is suitable for removing thin shoots.
• Hacksaw. This tool, like the pruner, must be sharp. The quality of pruning depends on this, as well as how quickly the tree can recover after this procedure. A hacksaw, or garden saw, is used to remove old and thick branches.
• Knife. The garden knife is used to clean the cuts. You will need it for pruning mature trees with thick branches.
• Ladder. It is needed if pruning of adult tall cherries is carried out.
• Protective clothing. The gardener will also need heavy work gloves and good safety goggles.

It is also important to prepare a tool that will be used for processing the slices. Most often, garden var is used for this. It can be replaced with oil paint. These products help protect the cut sites from infection. You can use a brush or brush to apply them.

Spring pruning of sweet cherries is carried out according to certain rules. Beginner gardeners will be helped by a step-by-step diagram explaining what to do with trees of different ages.

• Young annual seedlings should be cut only after they are strong. Trees less than 50 centimeters tall should not be touched. Pruning will only hurt them. A young cherry seedling is practically not disturbed. The gardener only needs to shorten the central trunk. You need to trim it over the sixth kidney.
• In the 2nd year, you can start forming the first row of the crown. The first full pruning of branches does not take long. The gardener needs to choose the 4 strongest shoots. Each of these shoots is shortened by 50 centimeters. The central shoot is also cut off. At least 4 buds should remain on it. They are needed to form the second tier of branches.
• When the cherry is 3 years old, all the shoots need to be pruned again. In this case, you need to focus on the length of the shortest branch. Shoots that are directed towards the inside of the crown must be completely cut off.
• In the 4th year, the formation of the crown can be completed. The first tier remains unchanged. Only shoots growing inward are removed. The second tier is also left untouched. But the branches of the 3rd tier are shortened to 65-70 centimeters.

At the end of the formation of a neat crown, the tree should grow in proportion. In healthy cherries, the lower branches are the most powerful. Thin shoots are located closer to the top. Plants 5-6 years old and older also need pruning. In the process, it is necessary to destroy all diseased or broken shoots, as well as branches that grow incorrectly. It is also very important to regularly remove all the growth from the trunk. After all, it takes a large amount of nutrients.

Old cherries are pruned especially carefully. A very small part of the branches is removed. Particular attention is paid to trimming the apex. This helps to transfer fruiting to branches that are located on the side. This procedure simplifies the process of picking berries.

The subsequent care of the tree also plays an important role. After pruning, you need to wait 2-3 days. During this time, the slices will have time to dry out. After that, you can start processing the wood. Sections must be lubricated with garden var. This is done in order to stop gum flow. If this is not done, the cherries can weaken significantly.

In the future, you need to take care of the tree in the same way as for other garden plants. It needs to be protected from pests, diseases and weeds, and watered when necessary. After pruning a tree, you can also feed it. This will help the cherries recover faster and gain strength. For this, you can use both organic and chemical fertilizers. In the spring, gardeners usually choose foods that contain nitrogen. Such fertilizers contribute to the rapid appearance of young shoots on the tree, as well as greenery.

To prevent pruning from harming cherries, gardeners should follow a number of simple rules. They are relevant for both beginners and experienced people.

• Spring pruning of cherries is carried out only in warm and dry weather. This can be done at any time of the day.
• Cherry wood is very soft. It is easy to damage it. Therefore, gardeners need to handle the tools very carefully. To minimize the risk of damaging young shoots, only sharpened saws and secateurs should be used.
• In order not to damage the bark, all large branches must first be sawed from below. This should be done with gentle and slow movements.
• If there are branches on the tree that are intertwined with each other, they must be removed by cutting them at the root.
• After the end of trimming, all tools must be disinfected. You can use regular alcohol for this.
• If there are several cherries in the garden, pruning of old trees should be carried out in the first days after the onset of heat. After all, their kidneys swell earlier. After that, you can start pruning young plants.