Old or tired sweet and sour cherry trees can be rejuvenated through targeted and expertly executed pruning measures. The associated renewal of the crown results in the formation of new shoots, more flowers and a better yield.
The rejuvenation is intended to stimulate shoot growth, replace the overaged branch structure and fruit wood and limit the crown circumference to such an extent that care and harvesting are easier. Timing and technique of regeneration are determined by the type of crown design, the natural shoot growth of the crown and the nutritional status of the tree. Trees that are weak in shoots and bear a lot of fruit must be rejuvenated earlier than strong-growing and moderately bearing ones.
partial taper
Partial rejuvenation prevents the entire crown from aging and the older parts of the crown from becoming bare. Crowns that are kept in shape by regular pruning require vigorous pruning from time to time to maintain their performance:
- cut back the removed fruit wood of the side and side branches to the next fruit setting, extending the cut to the entire crown,
- Cut inwards growing and crossing as well as diseased and dead branches down to the healthy wood,
- fertile, weak-shooting crowns are to be set back more, strong-growing, less richly-bearing crowns weaker.
total rejuvenation
In the case of trees with a natural crown structure, the crown is rejuvenated at an advanced age after the yields and fruit quality have decreased and the lower inner parts of the branches have become bare. Since the tree will replace the lost crown in a few years and the not inconsiderable wounds are said to have healed, additional fertilization should be combined with rejuvenation. Tillage and irrigation should not be neglected during this time.
In order to put an aging crown back in order, a major intervention in the branch structure is necessary:
- the scaffolding branches and the trunk extension are removed, taking into account the juice scales, down to the stumps,
- 1-2 branches are left as guests on the stumps,
- the crown should be narrower towards the top.
tips and tricks
In the case of completely senile crowns, the success of rejuvenation is questionable if diseases such as canker, tree fungus, gum disease, etc. have already gained the upper hand and large parts of the crown have died.