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Ornamental cherry pruning

#1 · 9th August 2023, 4:04 pm

Hiya

I’m wondering if now (mid August) would be ok to prune some branches that have grown up from the base of my ornamental cherry?

It was planted bare root in autumn 2021, never been pruned except main branch earlier this year, which has caused extra growth.

Thanks!

Mahmuda

#2 · 11th August 2023, 1:41 pm

Hi @mahmuda123

Fantastix question! A lot of time people get really confused with pruning cherry trees.

Cherry trees should always be pruned in summer. Never in winter. This is because of silver leaf disease.

What is silver leaf disease?

Silver leaf disease, also known as silver leaf disorder, is a fungal infection that affects various fruit trees and woody plants. It's caused by the pathogenic fungus Chondrostereum purpureum.

The disease is characterized by the development of silvery, metallic-looking leaves on affected branches or limbs. The fungus disrupts the water flow within the plant, causing the leaves to appear silver due to reduced chlorophyll production and water stress.

The infection can weaken the affected plant, making it susceptible to other diseases and environmental stresses. Pruning infected branches and maintaining good tree health practices can help manage the spread of this disease.

When to prune cherry trees?

Prune cherry trees in summer following my summer fruit tree pruning guide here.

The video below will show you how to prune cherry trees.

https://youtu.be/RMKWBu_Bxv4