How to prune a cherry tree

Pruning your cherry trees to keep them producing quality fruit, keeps the tree healthy and encourages them to grow into your desired size and shape. Pruning will also help prevent disease, by creating more open space for air flow.

Timing

Cherry trees should be pruned in late winter while the tree is dormant, pruning in February or March is a good rule of thumb. Sweet cherry trees are the exception, it is better to prune sweet cherry trees in late summer, as they are more susceptible to diseases if pruned in the winter.

Pruning young cherry trees

Young cherry trees require light pruning to ensure they get a healthy start. Pruning the tree properly when it is young creates a healthy branch structure for the tree to grow from. A young cherry tree should have 3-5 main branches growing off the trunk. Remove any suckers or any shoots or branches growing inwards. Also remove any dead, dying, or diseased branches. Yearly light pruning for young cherry trees will set them up for successful years ahead of growth and fruit production.

Pruning established cherry trees

First, remove any dead, dying, or diseased branches. Continue pruning as you would with a young cherry tree, in addition to removing new vertical branches and limbs, or any crossed branches. For established cherry trees, you should also remove any dead, dying, or diseased limbs and remove water-sprouts (vertical fast growing skinny branches). Established cherry trees tend to have a crowded canopy, removing some interior branches will allow for more light and airflow through the canopy. Aim for a manageable size and shape, creating an open shape.

For professional help, contact an arborist. Ascent Yard Care provides arborist services in Victoria, BC.