When is the best time to prune cherries?

Cherry pruning time and season month

Summer pruning: The first step is to remove buds and remove all buds on the strong branches and extension branches growing on the side branches of the cherry tree; the second step is to twist and break all branches other than the main branches and side branches, especially those with thick trunks and very few flowers, and clean them up; the third step is to thin out the branches. Generally speaking, the branches in dense areas should be cut off from the base. This should be done in multiple times, and one-third of the main branches can be cleared at one time.

Autumn pruning: After September, cut off the tender green tips of the branches of the year to promote the full development of the branches themselves, flower buds and leaf buds; cut back the overgrown branches by 1/3, and appropriately thin out the dense branches that block light on the outside.

Winter pruning: The pruning time is around December. The first type is light pruning, which is to cut off one-fifth of the branches. It can cultivate a large number of medium, short, and bouquet-shaped fruit branches; the second type is medium-short pruning, which directly reduces one-half of the branches and is mostly used for pruning the main side branches and extension branches; the third type is heavy pruning, which requires cutting off two-thirds of the branches. This method is only suitable for strong branches, and it is not recommended to use this method for large-scale pruning.

Cherry pruning methods and steps

Bud removal: Generally, you can remove the buds by keeping the first and second buds under the cut, keeping a full bud 10-15 cm below the second bud and removing all other buds, and removing all buds within 50 cm from the ground.

Branch pulling: Branch pulling is also an important task in summer pruning and management of fruit trees. Rope pulling, stick supporting and other methods are often used. The main purpose is to promote the expansion and formation of the crown, ease the growth of the tree and branches, etc.

Pinching: Light pinching can be done when the new shoot is about 10-15 cm long, just cut off 3-5 cm of the top growth point of the new shoot; moderate pinching can be done when the new shoot is about 30-40 cm long, just cut off about 20 cm of the top of the new shoot; heavy pinching can be done when the new shoot is about 35 cm long, leaving only 10-15 cm long at the base of the branch.

Thinning branches: Thinning branches mainly involves cutting off excess one-year-old branches, perennial ineffective branches, and weak branches from the base of the branches. Do not thin out too many branches at one time, and can be done in batches.

Notes on cherry pruning

Winter pruning can be done throughout the dormant period, but for cherries, the later the better, and it is generally appropriate to prune close to bud break.

When the branches and trunks of trees are injured, they are susceptible to infection by pathogens, leading to gum flow or disease. Therefore, in field management, special care should be taken not to damage the tree and branches. The ring barking technique should be used with caution for cherry trees, as ring barking may cause gum flow and breakage.