How to trim the cherry in the spring? Pruning of cherry: instruction

Bird cherry, or cherry, common in the forests of the southern regions of the country, is now actively cultivated and thanks to a very impressive breeding work fructifies in temperate Russian latitudes. Conquering the magnificent decorative and excellent taste of fruits, this stone culture remains quite demanding for the choice of the place of planting, care and pruning, which contributes not only to the formation of a beautiful crown, but also to a greater increase in the yield of a tree.

Features of culture

It should be noted that a gentle southerner, accustomed to the sparing climate of warm zones, is mastering all the more temperate regions not only through selective development. A great role in the adaptation of culture is played by inoculation of cherries. In the spring, before the plant awakens, cuttings with two or three growth buds are planted on the cherry rootstock. This method of reproduction completely justifies itself: the plant is resistant to severe winters and excellently fructifies. Cherry has an intensive branching, therefore at different stages of its development, different types of pruning come to the fore. Let's talk about each of them.

Caring for cherry in spring

The greatest part of the cares about this garden culture, as well as about many fruit trees, falls on the shoulders of gardeners in the spring. This hot time is also the most responsible, because the complex of spring works depends on the quality of life of the tree. Caring for cherry spring includes mandatory fertilizing, loosening, generous watering, treatment against viruses and pests and, of course, competent pruning.

Any fruit tree needs to be formed. Pruning of cherries can be different:

• Forming;
• Increasing fruiting (sanitary);
• Rejuvenating.

Let's talk about how to properly cut the cherry. The crown of culture can be built in the form of a ball, an oval or a pyramid at the choice of the gardener and in accordance with the possibilities of the site (its features and area are taken into account).

Forming pruning

This procedure forms the right skeleton of the tree, distributes the branches inside the crown, thus creating the conditions for setting and ripening the fruits. This pruning is the very first, and begin to do it in the year of planting. Traditional for cherries is a thin-tiered system for arranging branches. With it, the branches are evenly illuminated by the sun, not oppressing each other, and consequently, yield the crop to the fullest. To understand how to trim a cherry in the spring, the following scheme will help:

• In the skeleton of the tree there should be 6-8 branches, half of which forms the first (the lowest) level, where the branches are located on different sides of the trunk;
• The remaining skeletal (still called the main) branches form the second and third tiers (the second higher than the first by 60 cm, and the third higher than the second by 40 cm).

When forming the cherry tree, the branches are not obscured, but are (when viewed from above) between the branches of the first tier. Since it is necessary to trim the cherry in spring in the beginning of the sap movement, it is important not to waste time.

Stages and periods of skeleton formation

While the tree is growing, the process of formation is underway:

• On the seedling-one-year-old, 5-6 buds are counted and the conductor is cut off over the top. The height of the stem depends on the area of growth: in the southern latitudes - from 60 cm, in temperate zones - 30-50 cm.
• The next spring, choose 3-4 strong branches for the first tier, cut off the tops, so that the length is not more than 50-60 cm, other branches are removed. The central shoot is also cut, measuring from the first level line of 60-70 cm. It must be ensured that at least 4 kidneys remain on it.

• With the onset of the third spring they examine the tree. If the lowest branch is least developed (and it should be), it is not touched, and the shoots of the remaining main branches of the first tier are cut at its level. Be sure to remove the branches that are able to compete with the main (they are called competitors), but growing inside the bush or on the stem, as they pull on the food and simultaneously thicken the crown. And strong, properly located branches will go on forming skeletal branches of the second order. They are cut so that they are shorter than the central conductor by 15 cm. From the line of the second tier measure 40-50 cm, noting the presence of 4-6 kidneys, and shorten the conductor. In other words, the crown is formed by a regular oval or spherical shape.
• In the fourth year, it is necessary to slow down the growth of the central conductor, for which it is cut over the weak lateral shoot, which, in turn, is shortened to half a meter. Keeping the principle of pruning, in this and subsequent years form the third tier and shorten the growths of skeletal branches, as shown in the figure above.

Pruning sanitary

This is a necessary sanitary measure, since it is necessary to trim the cherry in the spring, after having examined the tree and having determined the dried, diseased, broken branches or growing inside the crown and thickening it. At this time, the growth of the central conductor, as well as the main branches, is carried out by transferring to weak lateral shoots.

Rejuvenating pruning

This pruning is needed cherry, when the fruiting is reduced. In this case, all branches of each level are shortened by the length of one- and two-year increments. Do not be afraid when carrying out such radical operations: the flower buds of the sweet cherry are located at the beginning and middle of the branch, therefore, cutting the tops, the gardener stimulates the formation of new shoots without touching the already embedded buds.

Pruning of cherries in spring: what you need to know

Rapid growth of shoots is a feature of culture. It is necessary to restrain it. Therefore, resort to summer pruning. The implementation of these procedures is carried out, based on the necessary knowledge of how to properly cut the cherry:

• All kinds of spring pruning are carried out before budding.
• Of great importance is the angle of branch from the trunk. An angle of 45-50 считается is considered optimal for the formation of skeletal branches.
• Sections must be treated with garden varnish.
• During the development of the culture, annual shoots are cut every quarter to a quarter of the growth.

Practical knowledge of the characteristics of growing and how to trim the cherry in the spring stimulates the generous fruiting of the tree. Proper care of young cultures promotes the beginning of fruiting in the sixth year.