How to Prune Bing Cherry Trees
Bing cherry is a cultivar of the sweet cherry species known botanically as Rosaceae Prunus avium. Bing cherry trees are hardy down to USDA zone 5 and produce a deep burgundy skin and interior flesh. They are grown primarily for fresh eating but are also processed for juice, canning and drying. According to Utah State University, bing cherries are the most widely cultivated sweet cherry variety grown commercially in the western United States. Pruning cherry trees is heavier when the trees are young and done sparingly after the trees mature. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
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Prune young cherry trees in the late summer removing roughly a foot of branch tip growth to encourage development of new branches and dense foliage. Use sharp, clean secateurs or loppers placing the cut on a slight bias, just 1/4 inch past a leaf node or bud.
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Prune bing trees that are 3 to 6 years old in August after harvest or in the winter when the tree is dormant. Cut back each shoot, emerging from a main branch, to roughly 2 feet long. This spurs fruit wood development. Pick up all the cuttings from the soil to prevent a breeding ground for disease.
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Prune bing trees 7 years of age and older sparingly. Remove only branches that crowd one another in the canopy preventing even sunlight penetration or good airflow. Cut back branches that abrade one another as a disease prevention measure. Reduce the height of the canopy if needed by removing just the branch tips at the top of the tree but leaving the main limb structure in place.
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Remove dead or diseased wood and foliage immediately when you see it no matter the age of the tree. Preventing the spread of problems from rot, cankers and falling limbs weakened by insect or weather damage is crucial. Place the cut back to a point of healthy, stable tissue and discard or burn the cuttings if they are diseased, bypassing the chipper and compost pile.
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References
- Photo Credit cherry image by lena Letuchaia from Fotolia.com
