How to prune cherry trees? Common methods for courtyard planting

1. Heading back. Cutting off part of a 1-year-old branch is called heading back. According to the degree of heading back, it can be divided into light heading, moderate heading, heavy heading and very heavy heading.

(1) Light heading. That is, cutting off less than 1/3 of the total length of the branch. On young trees, light heading is used more often, which can ease the growth vigor and help bear fruit earlier. Light heading on newly fruiting trees helps balance growth and fruiting. On mature trees, light heading can also be used to ease the growth vigor of strong branches and increase the number of short branches. For varieties with strong branching ability, such as Dazi and Zaozi, light heading is often used to cultivate single-axis extended fruiting branches.

(2) Moderate heading. That is, cutting off 1/3--1/2 of the branch. When shaping young trees, moderate heading of the extension branches of scaffold branches and the outer developmental branches generally can produce 3--5 medium-long branches and 5--6 leaf cluster branches. Moderate heading of moderate branches in the inner canopy generally can produce 3--5 medium-long branches and 5--6 leaf cluster branches. Moderate heading of moderate branches in the canopy, on varieties with strong branching ability (such as Dazi, etc.), generally produces only 1--2 medium-long branches and 3--4 leaf cluster branches. On fruiting trees, moderate heading helps enhance growth vigor, promote plump flower buds and increase yield.

(3) Heavy heading. That is, cutting off 1/2--3/4 of the branch. Heavy heading of strong and vigorous scaffold branches and extension branches can reduce the total growth of the tree. Heavy heading of branches on the back of scaffold branches, and in the second year treating the new shoots by removing strong ones and keeping weak ones, removing vertical ones and keeping slanted ones, can cultivate fruiting branch groups.

(4) Very heavy heading. That is, cutting off more than 3/4 of the branch, generally leaving only 4--5 buds. When preparing to remove overly dense branches or retract overgrown branch groups, very heavy heading can be used. For branches to be removed, first leave the basal axillary buds and cut back very heavily, and remove them after the fruiting branches become bare. This maintains the yield of the current year and also strengthens the tree vigor. Very heavy heading of overly vigorous trees can cultivate bouquet-like fruiting branches.

2. Leaving unpruned. That is, not pruning 1-year-old branches. After leaving vigorous, upright-growing branches unpruned, leaf cluster branches increase, photosynthetic area increases, and growth increases, which is not conducive to tree vigor balance and disrupts tree shape. After leaving moderate-growing branches unpruned, thickening growth is small, bouquet-like short fruiting branches increase, growth slows, and fruiting occurs earlier.

3. Thinning. That is, cutting branches off from the base. It is mainly used to remove overly dense auxiliary branches, water sprouts, thin and weak ineffective branches, diseased and insect-damaged branches, etc. Thinning reduces the number of branches and creates wounds, which has a certain weakening and easing effect on the growth of the whole tree. The larger the branches removed and the greater the number, the more obvious the weakening and easing effect on tree vigor. Locally, thinning also has the effect of suppressing the front and promoting the rear, that is, thinning weakens the growth of branches above the wound and promotes the growth of branches below the wound.

4. Renewal pruning. That is, cutting off part of a perennial branch. Renewal pruning can restore vigor, promote the sprouting of latent buds and the formation of flower buds. It is mainly used for the rejuvenation of fruiting branch groups and the renewal of scaffold branches.

5. Pinching. That is, before the new shoot lignifies, cutting off part of the tip. For young trees, with the purpose of expanding the crown, increasing branches and cultivating scaffold branches, pinching can be carried out when the new shoot is 30--40cm long. If fruiting branch groups are to be cultivated, continuous second pinching can be carried out.

6. Branch bending. It is a method of artificially opening the angle of branches. It can weaken apical dominance, ease growth vigor, increase germination rate, increase the number of short branches, promote flower formation, bear fruit earlier, and also improve inner canopy ventilation and light conditions, prevent inner canopy bareness and the outward movement of fruiting parts, increase effective fruiting parts, and improve yield and quality.

7. Notching buds and applying branch-promoting agent. Make a horizontal cut 1 cut above the bud reaching the xylem. During the shaping period of young trees, notching buds at positions lacking branches, or applying branch-promoting agent, can promote new branches and expand the crown. For fruiting trees, notching buds at the base of 1--2-year-old branches, or applying branch-promoting agent on new shoot buds, can sprout different types of fruiting branches and developmental branches in the same year, cultivating fruiting branch groups.

8. Twisting shoots. That is, twisting semi-lignified new shoots downward. After twisting, the branches grow moderately, accumulate more nutrients, and are conducive to flower bud differentiation. Twisting shoots should be carried out from late May to early June, twisting upright branches on the back, competitive branches and temporary branches. The degree of twisting should be controlled so that the xylem, phloem and some cracks occur, but do not break.

Pruning should pay attention to the following aspects

1. The pruning method should be determined according to the characteristics of the variety, tree age, tree vigor, planting density, cultivation method, cultivation level, etc. In addition, pay attention to the response after pruning and adjust in time when problems are found.

2. Do not thin too many at one time. When removal is unavoidable, it should also be carried out gradually year by year, grasp timely and appropriate amounts, and prevent excessive haste. When thinning large branches, the wound should be smooth without leaving a stub, and the wound should be slanted sideways or facing downward. It is most taboo to cut it into a “facing-sky scar.” After disinfecting the wound, apply a wound protectant.

3. The position of twisting shoots should be at the semi-lignified part of the new shoot. In addition, twisting shoots should be done by hand and cannot be replaced by pliers, etc.

4. For some varieties such as Jixin and Duanba Zi, pinching will reduce the number and growth of developmental branches, and may even form small old trees, so special attention should be paid.