A healthy, high-yielding cherry tree is characterized by a well-developed crown structure. Before the cherry tree begins to bear fruit, a viable crown structure must be built up over several years by properly executed pruning.

Thinning cut as an important crown design measure

A thinning cut is a cutting measure used to shape the crown. When pruning, older, strong twigs and branches that have proven to be superfluous or disruptive to the structure of the crown, are dead or diseased are removed. As a result, the remaining branches should get more air and light and the crown structure should show a better structure.

Pruning is by no means a matter of “beauty care”, rather the regular use of pruning shears or saws contributes significantly to the health, flowering and yield of the cherry tree. Because a dense, insufficiently aerated and exposed crown always represents a breeding ground for numerous diseases and pests. The fruit quality also decreases if there is no pruning.

Differences in the growth of sweet and sour cherries

Since the sweet cherry trees have a different growth pattern than the sour cherry trees, the pruning measures of these two cherry tree species are different. While the sweet cherry naturally grows strong and upright, the sour cherry likes to branch out and form strong long shoots. In addition, with most sour cherry varieties it is necessary to regularly remove the fruit wood that has been removed, since these cherries only bear fruit on the one-year shoot.

Practical execution

A clearing cut can easily be carried out on your own if you follow a few tips:

  • thinning out as early as possible in late summer, i. H. end of August, beginning of September
  • the middle load and strong, upright growing wood shoots are to be preserved,
  • branches that are too close should not only be cut off, but also removed up to the point of attachment,
  • mutually interfering inward shoots are to be removed at the base,
  • the water shoots on bare branches are to be removed except for a few, which serve to feed them.

tips and tricks

One often reads in the garden guides of a "cut to display". This involves cutting off the upright growing shoot at the level of the lowest, outward-facing bud.

Category:

Vegetable garden