Topic: Cherry tree - pruning tips?

[hellohelenhere]

I have a cherry tree (at least, I think that's what it is) at the end of my new garden. While I'm sure it will be very pretty in flower, I'd like to cut it back quite a bit as it will shade the whole end of my garden otherwise. Anything I should know before I take the secateurs to it?

[manicscousers]

we only prune ours in summer, due to silver leaf disease, that and the plum trees..don't think you're supposed to winter prune stone fruits  :)

[ceres]

Cherries should be summer pruned to minimise the risk of silver leaf and bacterial canker.  I think if you absolutely have to prune it now, all you can do is get your loppers/secateurs/saw really clean and sharp and seal all the cuts, but it's still a risk.

[hellohelenhere]

Ah, thanks guys. I did wonder about that - I knew about it as far as plum trees go, but didn't know if it applied to cherries too. I guess I need to wait till a dry patch in late spring, at the earliest...
Gives me time to get hold of some loppers, too! :)