Before
understanding how to prune a cherry tree, it is important
to know how cherry trees grow. Cherry trees are central leader
trees. This means that there is one main upright trunk, called
the leader. All branches will sprout and grow out of this.
A properly pruned cherry tree should have a scaffold shape.
This means that there are branches circling the tree, perpendicular
to the leader, and there should be an area of about two feet
between the levels to allow for light to reach the lower leaves
and fruit.
Pruning
cherry trees should be done in the late winter, encouraging
the plant to grow more during the growing season. The first
level of branches should begin between twenty-four to thirty-six
inches above the surface of the soil. The branches growing
out of the central leader should be either weighted down or
tied loosely to string to promote outward growth as opposed
to vertical growth. The outward growing branches will produce
more fruit and grow less vigorously.
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