Introduction to cherry tree pruning
La cherry pruning It's an essential practice to maintain tree health and optimize the production of high-quality fruit. Knowing how to do it correctly not only ensures proper tree development, but also facilitates harvesting and improves sunlight exposure. In this article, we'll fully address the process of cherry pruning, including the right times, the necessary tools, and the most effective techniques. If you want to delve deeper into the importance of cherry tree care, here you will find valuable information.
Why is it important to prune a cherry tree?
Cherry tree pruning has several important purposes:
- Stimulate growth: Proper pruning encourages the development of strong, healthy branches, resulting in a more vigorous tree.
- Improve fruit production: By removing dead or diseased branches, the tree can focus its energy on producing more and better fruit.
- Increase light and ventilation: A well-pruned tree has better air circulation and greater exposure to sunlight, which reduces the risk of disease. For more information on the right timing, see our guide on when to prune a cherry tree.
Types of pruning
There are different types of pruning that can be applied to cherry trees, each with its own objective:
- Training Pruning: It is carried out in the first years of the tree to establish a solid and well-formed structure.
- Maintenance Pruning: It is carried out annually to preserve the health of the tree and the quality of the fruit.
- Renewal Pruning: It is applied to old or neglected trees to rejuvenate them and improve their productivity.
When to prune cherry trees?
The ideal time to prune cherry trees is during the winter, when the tree is dormant. This allows for:
- Lower risk of infections: Low temperatures help reduce the chances of the tree suffering from any harmonic damage.
- Facilitate visibility: During the dormant period, it is easier to observe the structure of the tree and plan pruning.
However, it is also possible to perform light pruning in summer to remove unwanted shoots and improve the tree's shape. In warm climates, it is advisable to prune in February or March, making sure to avoid post-pruning frosts. Learn about when to prune fruit trees can be very useful to optimize the performance of your tree.
Tools needed for pruning cherry trees
To carry out effective pruning, you need to have the right tools:
- Pruning shears: Recommended for small branches and shoots up to 25 mm. Models such as the Altuna J466 (anvil cut) or the Altuna J495 (bypass cut).
- Two-handed scissors: For branches up to 50 mm, there are scissors such as the line Altuna 5323 which are ideal for a comfortable and effective cut.
- Pruning saw: Used for thicker branches, such as the model Altuna 29604R330, which facilitates precise cutting and reduces damage to the tree.
- Battery-powered scissors: These tools increase productivity and reduce the risk of injury. Recommended models are the Altuna AB37 and the Altuna AB100-MS.
Before you begin pruning, make sure you have the necessary knowledge about the Japanese cherry tree care and its maintenance. This will facilitate the process and increase the effectiveness of your efforts.
Steps for pruning cherry trees
Below are the essential steps for proper cherry tree pruning:
- Visual inspection: Observe the tree with an expert advisor and decide on the pruning guidelines to follow based on the needs of each tree.
- Remove dead or diseased branches: Cut these branches close to the base, avoiding leaving stumps that could generate new, unwanted shoots.
- Eliminate competing branches: Selectively remove branches that compete for space and light, ensuring good production.
- Formation of the cup: Be sure to clear the center of the tree to improve ventilation and light penetration.
- Training cuts: During the first few years, shape the tree to create a strong, balanced structure.
In addition, attention should be paid to the cutting angle, which should ideally be 45 degrees above a bud or lateral branch. For more details on cherry tree types, you can consult information on the Burlat cherry.
Additional tips for cherry tree care
- Cicatrization: Use fungicidal pastes to help heal wounds caused during pruning.
- Summer pruning: It allows for better growth control, easing the burden of winter pruning.
- Tool maintenance: Make sure pruning tools are sharp and clean to avoid damage to the tree.
It's a good idea to share this information with other farmers and cherry tree enthusiasts, as proper pruning and knowledge of tree maintenance can make a difference in producing quality fruit. If you're interested in learning more about how to plant a cherry tree, I invite you to read our article on plant a cherry tree from a branch.
Cherry pruning is an art and a technique that will improve the overall health of the tree and ensure the best possible cherries are obtained with each harvest. With proper knowledge and practice, any grower can improve their pruning skills, reaping the benefits this will bring to their crop.
hello good morning, will it be possible to grow a potted cherry tree? And what possibility would it have of it happening in Venezuela
Hi Ronald.
Yes, the cherry tree can be potted, but in Venezuela it would not grow well 🙁 It needs to be cold (frost) in autumn and winter so that it can bear fruit.
A greeting.
You have a page that is a cultural wonder about gardening. Thanks for all of it
Hello Baldomero.
Thank you very much from the whole team for your words. We work every day to offer quality content, which at the same time brings gardening closer to everyone, and when someone tells us something like that ... we can only say thank you.
We love that you like the blog, really.
Regards!