Both sweet and sour cherry trees are easy-care fruit trees in the garden. In order to harvest healthy fruit from a cherry tree for many years, the tree needs regular pruning as the most important care measure.
The cherry trees do well in a sunny spot with nutrient-rich, well-drained soil that is not too moist. Once you have chosen a variety that is appropriate for the location, you no longer need to carry out costly care measures to achieve good yields: moderate watering, occasional fertilization and annual pruning are sufficient.
water and fertilizer inputs
The cherry trees do not like wet soil. Nevertheless, they should be watered during prolonged drought to enable the necessary nutrient uptake. In summer, a layer of mulch should be applied to the tree disc to prevent it from drying out. After planting or transplanting, sufficient watering is important for fine root formation.
When replanting a cherry tree, put compost, well-seasoned manure or potting soil in the planting hole. This initially covers the nutrient requirements of the young cherry tree. Older cherry trees that are in full yield should be fertilized annually. Fertilization is done by adding
- organic (4 liters per year on the tree disc) and/or
- complete mineral fertilizer (according to the manufacturer's instructions).
Protection against pests
Shortly after flowering, the cherry trees should be protected from birds with a net. Sometimes only treatment with approved sprays helps against the cherry fruit fly and black cherry aphid. The fight against fungal infestation is mainly carried out by suitable cutting measures.
cut
Immediately after planting, pruning is performed to balance the roots and crown. The first years after planting are devoted to the crown structure, the so-called training cut is used for this. Later it is a matter of preserving and promoting the yield by thinning out and removing the fruit wood that has been removed.
tips and tricks
In order to protect the sensitive cherry blossoms from frost on cold April and Main nights, frost protection irrigation is carried out in commercial fruit growing. The trees are continuously sprayed with fine water droplets. The resulting layer of ice protects them from frost.