Cherry tree, blossoms for the bees, that might not happen

Cindi · March 14, 2008, 11:09:43 AM

My cherry tree has not been pruned in years. I am terrible at pruning trees, that is not my baileywick. I am the plant grower. Brian had a post about how to prune trees, and I tried to follow what he said, but it was so overgrown it just didn't work out that way, so I just took saw in hand and cut the tree, next year the tree will probably have lots of blossoms, but this year doubtful, but time will tell that tale. This is what I did for several hours the other day, what a job!!! My Husband wound up finishing off the cutting of the limbs, it was too much for my poor arm that was just killing me after awhile. Have a beautiful and wonderful day, we be lovin' this life we live. Cindi

KONASDAD · March 14, 2008, 11:13:35 AM

Feel your pain. I have three standard apples that weren't pruned in decades. I have been "whacking them back" for two years now. I only hope I asm going about it correctly. I struggle between letting branches bloom for the bees, and trying to prune the tree quickly to get it back in shape ASAP.

bassman1977 · March 14, 2008, 02:03:33 PM

QuoteI struggle between letting branches bloom for the bees, and trying to prune the tree quickly to get it back in shape ASAP.

I feel this way about mowing my lawn during a clover or dandelion flow.

MrILoveTheAnts · March 14, 2008, 02:28:06 PM

I hear, ideally when pruning you want to think about the end shape of the tree and then take 3 years to get there. Slowly prune it into the shape you want. Remove branches touching one another, think about good air flow so the fruit doesn't rot out, and make sure the branches are where you want them (fruit trees should have them in easy reach, anything else shouldn't have branches to low as to block view unless this is wanted). Other then that I don't know any specifics for each tree. I believe with Apple trees most of the fruit occurs on the new growth.

Brian D. Bray · March 15, 2008, 11:19:07 PM

Quote from: MrILoveTheAnts on March 14, 2008, 02:28:06 PM
I hear, ideally when pruning you want to think about the end shape of the tree and then take 3 years to get there. Slowly prune it into the shape you want. Remove branches touching one another, think about good air flow so the fruit doesn't rot out, and make sure the branches are where you want them (fruit trees should have them in easy reach, anything else shouldn't have branches to low as to block view unless this is wanted). Other then that I don't know any specifics for each tree. I believe with Apple trees most of the fruit occurs on the new growth.

Also think about the hieght of the tree. From your pictures I would have prune back the more upright branches so that the center area is more open and the tree crowns out at about 15-20 ft--makes for much easier picking later. When you prune fruit trees think of a crown of thornes--you want the leafy part of the tree to be a crown around a central trunk with 5-7 main branches. Secondary branches should be chosen and pruned so that make up a lattice work amid the crown. Rain suckers will grown from those and will bear the flowers and fruit for the next season. Trim them so that there are 3 lengths of suckers, nub or very short, 1/2 and long. The cutting of those should be done so that the general shape of the tree remains. At the ends of the branches you want to nub or 1/2 the suckers as overly long ones will sag badly and could place suffiecient weight on the limb to break it. General rule on limb tips is to nub or 1/2 the remove the 1/2 the next year as new ones will sprout from the main limb.

Cindi · March 16, 2008, 12:50:16 AM

Brian, I think that tomorrow I am going to take a picture of what the cherry tree looks like now. I have a before and after picture, in the before picture, I had already cut a few branches then took the picture. You can see first hand how I pruned it. I remember you telling me before how to prune, but I just didn't get it and still don't get it.

From you complete description, I think that I did prune this tree in a similar manner as to what you are speaking about. I would although, call it a pretty severe pruning effort. I don't know if the picture will help you to ascertain if I pruned terribly or reasonably OK. I would really like to have you look closely at the picture and tell me the errors that you can see, please. Have a wonderful and great day, Cindi

JP · March 16, 2008, 01:06:27 AM

Cindi, get down outta that tree! Whoppo is raiding your beeboxes, he thinks he's a bear! Hey, you ever heard of a ladder? What happened, they left you in that tree? You are quite the nature chick Cindi, that pic of you in the tree cracked me up! Good luck with the cherries.

...JP

Cindi · March 16, 2008, 10:14:45 AM

JP, I am nature chick for sure. My Sister gave me a wall plaque that says, "I live in the garden, I just sleep in the house". That pretty much defines me, outside most of my life, hee, hee. Whoppo didn't get the bees, even if he thinks he is a bear, nope, he is stuck in the chickenyards, the fences hold him back. Beautiful day in this beautiful life. Cindi

reinbeau · March 16, 2008, 10:48:04 PM

Quote from: Cindi on March 16, 2008, 10:14:45 AM
JP, I am nature chick for sure. My Sister gave me a wall plaque that says, "I live in the garden, I just sleep in the house". That pretty much defines me, outside most of my life, hee, hee. Whoppo didn't get the bees, even if he thinks he is a bear, nope, he is stuck in the chickenyards, the fences hold him back. Beautiful day in this beautiful life. Cindi

Ooh, Cindi, I need one of those plaques!

prisoner#1 · March 16, 2008, 11:05:39 PM

Quote from: Cindi on March 14, 2008, 11:09:43 AM
we be lovin' this life we live.

Glad to hear you only have one to prune, I have almost 300

luckily mine are only a couple snips since I just put out 86 last year
and the remaining trees just arrived. I'm glad I didnt give much thought
to the amount of work that goes into an orchard

mgates61 · March 16, 2008, 11:33:14 PM

As I used to work for a pro tree company, here is my advise on pruning.

1. *****ALWAYS WASH YOUR PRUNING EQUIPMENT IN BLEACH BEFORE STARTING. DESEASE AND INSECTS CAN BE TRANSMITTED WITH DIRTY TOOLS. ALSO WASH THEM BETWEEN DIFFERENT TREES.*****

2. On all branches, remove any offshoots that point to the ground.

3. As stated, cut any brasnches that touch or rub eachother.

4. Always cut the branch just beyond the start of an offshoot.

5.Remove and dead branches.

6. If you cut a branch at the trunk, use "bark seal" or spray paint to seal the wound. This will help prevent disease.

Hope this helps.

Oh yeah...................GET A LADDER. U gonna break your neck.

Mike