Cherry trees are some of the fastest-growing fruit trees in the garden, and they require regular pruning to ensure healthy growth and increased fruit production. The article explains how to cut both sweet cherries (Süßkirschen) and sour cherries (Sauerkirschen) properly to maintain a balanced, productive tree.
Key Points to Consider:
- When to Cut: For both types of cherry trees, summer pruning (after the harvest) is the most effective. This timing helps slow down the rapid growth and promotes the formation of new fruit-bearing branches. Additionally, pruning during summer causes the cuts to heal more quickly, reducing the risk of bacterial and fungal infections.
- Pruning Sweet Cherries (Süßkirschen): Sweet cherry trees need regular thinning of the crown to allow light to reach the inner branches. This helps prevent the tree from becoming sparse and promotes healthy fruit production. When pruning, it’s important to remove inward-growing branches and reduce older, non-productive wood by cutting it back to younger, more productive side shoots.
- Pruning Sour Cherries (Sauerkirschen): Sour cherries, especially those in the « Schattenmorelle » type, bear fruit on one-year-old wood. Therefore, it’s crucial to cut back harvested branches immediately after the harvest to encourage new fruit-bearing growth. Regular pruning ensures better yields.
- Pruning Older Trees: Older cherry trees can be rejuvenated with a more drastic pruning, especially if they are grafted onto vigorous rootstocks. The article suggests cutting back thick, overgrown branches to rejuvenate the tree and make harvesting easier.
- Wound Care: Professional gardeners are increasingly skipping the application of wound sealants on cherry trees. It is recommended to only treat larger cuts (over 2 cm) to prevent disease, but not to seal the entire cut, as this can trap moisture and cause rot.
This guide emphasizes that proper timing and techniques for pruning cherry trees will lead to better fruit yields, healthier trees, and easier maintenance in the long run.