- Do the cherry trees need a lot of water?
- When and how are cherry trees fertilized?
- When and how is the cherry tree pruned?
- Which pests can attack the cherry trees?
- What diseases do cherry trees have?
- Are cherry trees frost resistant?
- tips and tricks
The sour cherry trees are undemanding and still thrive on dry sandy soil. The sweet cherry needs a lot of sun, good soil and usually a suitable pollinator. Good yields can be achieved with relatively little maintenance.
Do the cherry trees need a lot of water?
The cherries tolerate soil that is too dry rather than too wet and not waterlogging at all. They thrive in warm, well-drained soil with adequate moisture levels. In long dry periods, additional watering is therefore recommended, even for large trees, even in winter when the weather is frost-free.
When and how are cherry trees fertilized?
The discs of the cherry trees can be fertilized with compost at the end of winter. Green manure can be applied in summer to improve the soil and incorporated in the following spring. The core nutrient reserves of nitrogen, potash, phosphorus and lime contained in the soil should be replenished in March/April and the beginning of June by applying complete or mixed fertilizers, if necessary also after a high yield.
When and how is the cherry tree pruned?
For the strongly upright growing sweet cherry, the initial training pruning is usually sufficient to build up the crown. Older, dead sweet cherry trees occasionally need pruning for renewal or rejuvenation. The sour cherry branches out more and has to be thinned out regularly. Furthermore, the removed fruit wood shoots must be cut out, since sour cherries often only bear fruit on the one-year shoot.
The cherry trees are pruned after the harvest in August and the sour cherries also in September. This slows down growth and promotes fertility. Pruning the cherry trees at the beginning of March stimulates growth.
Which pests can attack the cherry trees?
Cherries, especially sweet cherries, are most endangered by the maggots of the cherry fruit fly, which can spoil entire harvests in some years. The black cherry aphid, which attacks the new growth and thus inhibits its growth, is also widespread. Timely spraying measures can sometimes only help against these two pests if you don't want to forgo the harvest.
What diseases do cherry trees have?
Cherry tree diseases are usually fungal infections affecting the bark, wood, leaves and fruit. The following diseases are common:
- monilia peak drought,
- shotgun disease,
- Gnomonia Leaf Tan,
- tree cancer,
- Valsa disease.
Choosing resistant varieties will help prevent infestation. It is mainly controlled by cutting and, if necessary, by spraying.
Are cherry trees frost resistant?
The frost sensitivity of cherry trees depends on the variety. In general, cherry trees survive the winter without damage. In particularly severe frosts, the shallow-rooted cherry trees are protected with a tree disc made of leaves/mulch (€239.00). The young trees can also be wrapped with suitable winter protection material. Liming the tree trunk protects the bark from frost burn.
tips and tricks
Winter pruning is not recommended for cherry trees, as the cuts cannot heal well at this time of year and the cherry trees are prone to fungal infections.