How to Cut Cherry Trees

Take care when pruning your cherry tree to cut branches properly.

Pruning a cherry tree plays a vital role in maintaining the tree's well-being and ensuring ample fruit production. Using proper technique when cutting the cherry tree's branches is essential--it will ensure that no excessive damage to the tree is done, and will allow the tree to heal promptly. Pruning is best completed in the late winter, when the tree is dormant. A properly pruned cherry tree will have a scaffold shape.

Things You'll Need

• Hand shears
• Lopping shears
• Pruning saw
• Pole-pruner
• Goggles

Instructions

1. Select proper tools for the job. Use hand shears for trimming twigs and branches that are up to 1/2 inch in diameter. Choose a pruning saw to cut large, woody branches that are less than 6 inches in diameter. Lopping shears can be used to cut branches 1/2 inch to 2 inches in diameter. Pole-pruners allow you to cut branches that are too high to reach; they include a saw and a lopping shear on an extendable shaft.

2. Plan an approach and decide in advance the cuts you wish to make. You should first cut out all dead, diseased or damaged wood. Next, cut out thin, twiggy branches, and remove any stems that cross each other or rub together. Then, remove water sprouts (branches that are long and straight that originate from the bark). Finally, rip suckers off from their source at the base of the tree.

3. Make your cuts properly, cutting clean and smooth. Cut at a 45-degree angle. Make only a few cuts at a time, stepping back in between to check your progress. When cutting off an entire branch, take care not to cut into the branch collar (the wide flare where the branch attaches to the trunk). The collar helps the tree to heal the wound.

4. Make three cuts when removing large branches. The first cut will be into the underside of the branch, about 6 inches beyond the branch's collar, 1/4 of the way into the branch. Make the second cut from the top downward several inches beyond the first cut. Cut until the branch breaks away. Make a third cut to remove the stub.

Tips & Warnings

• Do not seal the wound; trees have the ability to heal their injuries.

• Keep your pruning tools maintained, sharpening and cleaning as needed.

• When using pole-pruners, always wear goggles and use caution; material cut overhead can fall and cause injury.

References

• New Mexico State University: Tree Pruning Techiques
• Aggie Horticulture: Follow Proper Pruning Techniques
• Tyler's Carlmont Nursery: Pruning Fruit Trees