How to Prune a Snow Fountains Tree

Growing to only 15 feet tall with a 12-foot spread, "Snow Fountains" weeping cherry is ideal for small gardens. It bears cascades of white flowers in the spring and blazing autumn color. "Snow Fountains" does not require heavy pruning -- just enough to shape it and remove overgrowth to provide good air circulation within the canopy. The best time to prune is the fall. "Snow Fountain" weeping cherry trees do best in zones 5 through 8 on the U.S. Department of Agriculture Plant Hardiness Zone Map.

Things You'll Need

• Pruning equipment

Instructions

1. Cut off the suckers that grow from the bottom of the trunk or the soil. When the suckers are small, they rub or pinch them off with your fingers. Use pruning shears to cut larger growth.

2. Shorten branches that are touching the ground. Stagger the lengths to give the tree a natural appearance.

3. Remove any branches that grow straight up. This technique is used only on grafted weeping trees, which includes "Snow Fountains." Remove branches that cross over or rub against others.

4. Space branches at the top of the tree 2 inches apart. This thins the canopy so that air can circulate within.

5. Water the "Snow Fountains" weeping cherry after pruning, providing the usual amount of water.

References

• Moon: Prunus x 'Snofozam'
• Washington State University Clark County Extension: Snow Fountains Weeping Cherry
• Kansas State Research and Extension: Pruning Weeping Trees and Shrubs

Resources

• The United States National Arboretum: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map