Q.Pruning Sweet Cherry Tree
Hello, I have a large cherry tree that was well established when I moved in 10 years ago, and in recent years I’ve cut it back once the birds had eaten all the fruit, which is usually late summer/early autumn. I have really only become interested in the garden this year now that I have lost the last of my dogs, so I am finally giving it some attention and having googled this question about pruning I realise I’ve been doing it at the wrong time for the last few years. My question is, if I should be pruning mid summer while it is full of fruit, the birds are going to lose out on the cherries, which would be a shame. What is the worst case scenario if I prune later in the year, please? .
Certified GKH Gardening Expert
Fruit trees are usually pruned to open the canopy and remove dead or diseased branches. Most fruit tress are pruned in late winter, while the tree is dormant. Sweet cherry trees, however, are best trimmed in late summer. (Not while fruiting.) But any extensive pruning would still be done in winter.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/fruits/cherry/cherry-tree-pruning.htm
