Last Updated on January 20, 2022 by
Did you know it is good to undertake to trim a weeping cherry tree for it to become vibrant and successful?
The weeping cherry tree is very popular with many gardeners growing them due to their graceful calm and shape. It provides shade throughout the year and beautiful flowers when in bloom.
Many gardeners who plant this tree do not know how to trim them. To ensure the crown of the branches remains strong, pruning is required to remove all the weak branches. Make sure you get the pruning time right so that you don’t accidentally damage the tree or stunt its growth.
Common Mistakes To Avoid When Pruning Weeping Cherry
There are many common mistakes that gardeners make when pruning this tree. They include:
Cutting the large branches at the point where they meet with the trunk. Though it may seem as though it gets rid of unwanted growth all at once during the shaping process, it makes the branches grow back vertically. This will make them even tougher or more difficult to shape in the future. Work with the flow of the tree branches to protect its natural beauty.
Making many small cuts rather than a few large intentional snips. Keep your cuts limited to only a few meaningful ones instead of using many of them. The few cuts are easy for the tree to heal from within a short time.
To ensure that you have the healthiest tree, avoid these common pruning mistakes that could cause irreparable damage.
Read more about How to Trim a Lilac Bush
Step By Step Weeping Cherry Tree Pruning
Step 1 – Remove Suckers That Come From The Base Of The Tree Or Underground
To access the bottom of the tree, pull the mulch aside and use sharp pruners to cut off the suckers as low as possible. You can’t yank them off by hand you need to use pruners, they are quite stubborn. Don’t dig them out with a shovel or you may dig the roots out thus encouraging more suckers to grow. You can remove these suckers any time of the year. Remember to return the mulch after removing the suckers.
Step 2 – Prune Out The Dead Or Dying Branches
Remove all the dead or dying branches during winter. Scratch the bark to see where live wood starts. If it’s alive, it will be green, and if dead, it will be brown. You can remove the dead branches any time but it is commonly done during winter.
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Step 3 – Remove Waterspouts From The Tree Trunk
If your tree is grafted, you will see swelling near the top of the trunk, prune off any branches shooting under that point. These branches under the grafting point if left to grow will spoil the shape of the tree. Be careful not to slice into the trunk or leave a stub. Do not break any branch off by hand, no matter how small it is. You could tear a bark.
Do not fall into the trap of buying sealing crème – the swollen part that held the branch will close the wound. Allow the tree to do its job in healing its wounds without applying other elements. Again, do not cut into the tree trunk, simply cut where the branch starts then it will heal fast. You can prune the waterfronts any time of the year.
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Step 4 – Shaping Your Weeping Cherry Tree
You will need to trim your tree to give it an outstanding shape. Trim the branches to about 6 inches long from the ground or shorter. Maintain an umbrella form by pruning out more upright–growing branches. Be careful not to remove more than 25% of the canopy at a time. Prune for shaping just before, during, or immediately after flowering.
Finally, have fun trimming your weeping cherry tree. If you enjoy the process, your tree will also enjoy the growth. Cherries are fast-growing trees. If you happen to prune wrongly, don’t beat yourself up, new branches will grow again
FAQs
When should a weeping cherry tree be pruned?
The question of when to prune your weeping cherry is one that many people ask. The fact is, it really depends on what you want from the tree. There are several reasons to prune your weeping cherry trees. The first is to improve their appearance. Pruning will keep branches from getting too large and falling over. It will also make the tree more compact and easier to handle.
The second reason to prune a weeping cherry is to remove dead or diseased wood. This is usually done in the fall when the tree is dormant. Pruning is best done during the dormant season, which begins in early October and ends in late March. The third reason to prune weeping cherries is to train them to grow in a more compact shape. Pruning can be used to encourage the tree to grow straighter. The fourth reason to prune weeping cherries is to control their growth.
Prune at the first sign of budding. If you wait until the blossoms are fully open, you could damage the blossoms, which will cause the tree to flower less. To prune in the spring, you'll need to cut back all the branches except the main leader shoots. Remove dead or diseased wood. You can also remove the old growth if you want the tree to grow faster. The best time to prune is when the leaves have dropped. When they are still attached, they will be more likely to get injured by the pruning equipment.
What time of year can you trim a cherry tree?
If you’re in the northern hemisphere, the answer is “spring.” If you’re in the southern hemisphere, it’s winter. The Cherry Tree Expert® (CTE) team has been studying the science of pruning cherries for decades, and we have learned that the right time to prune cherries is when the buds are at their largest. The reason is simple:
It is during this time that the buds have the greatest amount of energy stored in them, which translates to a larger number of flowers. When buds reach their maximum size, they should be removed, as they will not produce many flowers. Buds that have reached maximum size are not only less productive, but also more prone to disease.
This is because the amount of sugar in the bud has decreased and it is now easier for diseases to take hold. When harvesting your cannabis, you want to ensure that you remove the largest and healthiest buds from the plant. This will result in the highest quality buds being harvested. The other thing you want to consider is where you harvest your cannabis. Ideally, you should harvest in the middle of the day when the temperature is warmest.
What is the lifespan of a weeping cherry tree?
I've read that they can live for 80 years. I also know that there is a way to propagate trees from the seeds of an older tree.
Conclusion About How To Trim A Weeping Cherry Tree
FAQs
When should a weeping cherry tree be pruned?
The question of when to prune your weeping cherry is one that many people ask. The fact is, it really depends on what you want from the tree. There are several reasons to prune your weeping cherry trees. The first is to improve their appearance. Pruning will keep branches from getting too large and falling over. It will also make the tree more compact and easier to handle.
The second reason to prune a weeping cherry is to remove dead or diseased wood. This is usually done in the fall when the tree is dormant. Pruning is best done during the dormant season, which begins in early October and ends in late March. The third reason to prune weeping cherries is to train them to grow in a more compact shape. Pruning can be used to encourage the tree to grow straighter. The fourth reason to prune weeping cherries is to control their growth.
Prune at the first sign of budding. If you wait until the blossoms are fully open, you could damage the blossoms, which will cause the tree to flower less. To prune in the spring, you'll need to cut back all the branches except the main leader shoots. Remove dead or diseased wood. You can also remove the old growth if you want the tree to grow faster. The best time to prune is when the leaves have dropped. When they are still attached, they will be more likely to get injured by the pruning equipment.
What time of year can you trim a cherry tree?
If you’re in the northern hemisphere, the answer is “spring.” If you’re in the southern hemisphere, it’s winter. The Cherry Tree Expert® (CTE) team has been studying the science of pruning cherries for decades, and we have learned that the right time to prune cherries is when the buds are at their largest. The reason is simple:
It is during this time that the buds have the greatest amount of energy stored in them, which translates to a larger number of flowers. When buds reach their maximum size, they should be removed, as they will not produce many flowers. Buds that have reached maximum size are not only less productive, but also more prone to disease.
This is because the amount of sugar in the bud has decreased and it is now easier for diseases to take hold. When harvesting your cannabis, you want to ensure that you remove the largest and healthiest buds from the plant. This will result in the highest quality buds being harvested. The other thing you want to consider is where you harvest your cannabis. Ideally, you should harvest in the middle of the day when the temperature is warmest.
What is the lifespan of a weeping cherry tree?
I've read that they can live for 80 years. I also know that there is a way to propagate trees from the seeds of an older tree.
Improper pruning can lead to the loss of your weeping cherry tree. Following the step-by-step guide on how to trim should help you get the right results.
With a bit of practice, this task will become less daunting and more enjoyable. And the results of your work shall be evident with every blooming season.
Remember to carefully prune the root are too as well as the tips of the cascade to create a breathtakingly beautiful, ornamental flowering tree.
What are you waiting for, grab your sharp pruners and get to work! And while at it, have fun and talk to your tree.
Caroline is a gardener who loves to get down to the nitty–gritty of gardening. She proudly proclaims herself as a ‘dirt worshipper‘ and can often be found deep in the garden, covered in soil and singing to her plants. As a self–proclaimed ‘plant whisperer‘, Caroline believes that plants need love and attention just like any other living thing, and she loves to give them both. When she‘s not tending to her garden, you can often find her researching the latest gardening trends, or teaching others how to make their gardens thrive
