Every gardener should know, how to prune a cherry in the fall, in what terms it is better to do it, as correct, when rejuvenation is required, how the crown is formed and what result it will give with the right approach…
cherry pruning - in the photo
Why you need to prune cherries in the fall?
Each fruit tree or shrub should be prepared for the wintering process, after all, they do not always manage to protect themselves from frost. If all the steps to prepare for the cold are done correctly, you can be sure, that next year the cherry orchard will bring a rich harvest and delicious, juicy fruits.
Autumn care of cherries - a whole range of activities, which includes not only warming for the winter and pest control, but also pruning. For some reason, many homeowners do not consider it necessary to engage in such business, like pruning cherries in the fall, preferring other fruit trees - apple or pear.
However, cherries need proper care no less than others. It can yield a good harvest for several years in a row and without pruning, but that doesn't mean, that will always be the case. Lack of care for the tree will negatively affect its fruiting in the future, after all, cherry diseases, can ruin a culture, so, timely measures will promote healthy growth and a rich harvest.
Proper pruning of cherries will not only significantly increase its yield, but also prolong the life of the tree, helping him to deal effectively with infections, characteristic cherries. Prune cherries in a timely manner, and she will thank you with a rich harvest of this delicious berry.
Terms of pruning cherries in autumn
Before, how to prune a cherry in the fall, it is important to study this process carefully. It is important to find out, what autumn period it is necessary to carry out this action. What is the timing of the autumn formation of cherries will depend on the region of cultivation, so on average, you can start pruning cherries in the 20s of September (in regions with harsher climates, in the Urals and Siberia), and finish in late November (recommended for regions with warm climates, in the Kuban, in the Stavropol Territory, Rostov region).
The formation of the cherry crown should begin after that, as the tree will come to rest. In the southern regions, experienced gardeners can start pruning immediately, as the last leaves fall. In any case, it is important not to miss that moment, when the first frosts strike, otherwise pruning will damage the tree.
Trees, planted this year, no need to prune, their twigs have not yet strengthened, and the slices will not withstand severe cold or frost. Trees older than one year should be inspected every fall and removed dry, patients, damaged branches.
For an adult pruning cherries performs several functions:
- Thinning of the crown, ie removal of branches, who have chosen the wrong direction for growth, intertwined or rubbing against each other
- Removing branches, creating shade for fruits, thereby slowing down their maturation
- Sanitary treatment of the bush, ie removal of diseased and damaged branches. If there are many of them, it is not recommended to remove all the mass at once, it is better to divide this procedure into two years. Otherwise, the cherries will have to spend effort on recovery, which will weaken the tree and make it vulnerable to cold
How to prune cherries in the fall - the basic rules
There are certain rules, how to prune a cherry in the fall, to have a good harvest:
- It is not recommended to prune very young cherry trees, as this may adversely affect the fruiting process
- That the skeleton of a tree was correct and strong, be sure to remove all branches, which compete for the role of the top, leaving one - the strongest and correctly growing
- If during the spring and summer the shoots have grown slightly, will require strong pruning
- Sometimes it will be effective to remove an entire large branch from the crown, than pruning numerous small branches
- If there is a need to prune a large branch, the diameter of the saw which is not less 1 cm, prepare garden lime to lubricate the saw
- Pruning spray cherries involves removing all branches, which grew at an angle in 45 degrees, including healthy
- The yield of the tree is directly proportional to the direction of growth of the branches, So, horizontally grown bitches will begin to bear fruit earlier and will bring more berries
- To form a crown, it is recommended to use only professional tools - garden shears, drank, but the pruner can not be used for pruning branches, they can severely damage the branches
- Want to accelerate the growth of shoots? - Remove a number of flower buds
- All pruned branches must be destroyed as soon as possible (to burn), or take out of the garden, as they can be a great habitat for parasitic insects, rodents and diseases, inherent cherries
Usually, Two methods of thinning cherry bushes are used - thinning and shortening. At thinning it is necessary to remove dry, diseased branches, bitches, rub one against one, as well as branches, growing in the wrong direction. The shortening procedure involves removing only part of the young twig - its third part.
Details, which must be taken into account in the pruning process
Following the basic rules, how to prune a cherry in the fall, you will definitely increase your harvest and help the tree stay healthy. However, there are still some points, which are not rules, but which should be taken into account during the pruning process.
So, engaged in pruning cherries, it is necessary to take into account the peculiarities of the varieties of this fruit and berry tree - the shape of the crown in different varieties is different, so, and they must be cut in different ways.
Varieties, having the shape of a tree, require annual pruning of annual shoots, they need to be made shorter every year, due to which the lateral branches will develop more actively, which will yield in the future.
If the variety has the shape of a bush, such shoots should not be touched, otherwise the whole bitch may dry out, while spray cherries are characterized by excessive thickening, therefore thinning of a bush needs to be paid the increased attention.
Now you know the basics, how to properly form a young cherry crown, what is the difference between pruning cherries depending on its variety, what tools are best to use, etc.. d. Follow the simple tips, and your cherry orchard is sure to enjoy a good harvest of delicious berries.