How to prune a weeping cherry tree

One of the biggest pruning mistakes is cutting off branches in the wrong place. Without knowing it, many people tend to leave too much of a stub when removing branches. Once the stub dies off, it makes an entry point for disease and insects. Trees have a natural defense system built into to them (right where the trunk intersects the branch), known as the "collar". It is important to do your best to make a flush cut without removing the collar. Cuts should be made just beyond the collar without leaving a stub but leaving the swollen area.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• A saw (hand saw or chain saw)
• proper safety gear (goggles, a hard hat, and eye protection if you are using a chain saw)
• time
• energy
• this page printed out! :)

1. About one or two feet from the trunk of the tree, make an undercut about one-third of the way up through the bottom of the branch.
2. Now, cut completely through the branch from the top side, about three inches out the branch from your first.
3. this should allow the branch to fall away without tearing the branch from the trunk

Tips & Warnings

• trim flowering trees within 3 weeks of when they finish blooming. That should allow you to keep buds containing next year's flower show.
• Don't leave too much stub when removing branches
• remove all branches that are straight and not "weeping"
• do not "trim" ends of branches (follow rules above)
• of course, always use good safety rules when cutting trees.