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?
(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3045/3008672139_ef0369b6cb.jpg)
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 :)
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.
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! :)