Pruning cherry tree, is this a good time of year to do so?

Question

it is a 'Stella' and I want to trim it back to make it more compact so I can put netting over it next year as sick of birds eating all, I live on the coast of Wales

Answer 1

All Cherries must be pruned when they are in full leaf to reduce the risk of Silver Leaf disease, so now is a very good time to prune.  Good luck :-)

Answer 2

I think the best time to trim is in the late fall when there are less pests around to take advantage of the open "wounds" on the tree, but outside of that factor just about any time is fine.

Answer 3

l do mine when you should'nt and that is after fruiting.This means it grows a bit and will fruit next year.If you do it in autumn onwards than it's 2 years before fruits appear as your cutting the fruiting stems away and it's too cold to grow back.It's done late to stop disease getting in,but l've been fine

Answer 4

Late summer is the best time to prune your cherry. Never prune it in the winter as this leaves it susceptible to disease. Remove damaged and unwanted branches.  

Answer 5

You can prune any Prunus (cherry/plum) from after flowering to september. Avoid cold damp weather at all costs. You may get away with it later than september if there is a warm autumn. Now is ideal.

Answer 6

In the US we have what is call our University Extensions where we are able to look up the best sources of information according to the state we live in...perhaps in Wales you have the same system but maybe it's called something else.   If not use the link below for some results.

Every state does it different because of so many climates and planting zones.  For example a northern state would not prune at the same time as a southern state.

Cooperative Extensions for each state

http://www.greenhousecatalog.com/coopera...

I find that when the trees are dormant with all of the sap gone down for winter is the best time to prune any tree.

Missouri USA

Answer 7

hi stella,yes now is best time of year,when sap is in full flow,before you start clean tools with white spirit, make sure when pruninig heavy branches dont tear, so hold them with rope

i was shown as a boy to take some soil from the base of the tree and rub the cut helps reduce heavy loss of sap will seal quicker.popa