Weeping cherry tree

Question

There is a space roughly 9″ at the top of our weeping cherry tree that will not grow limbs. Plus, it looks like the tree has grown very little in height. The limbs that are on the tree is weeping on the ground. Oh, and I use term the “tree” loosely….I’m not even sure it can be called a small sapling. Thanks!

Answer 1

The growth habit of weeping cherry trees is hard to read sometimes because as soon as a new shoot develops at the top, it bends over and droops into the weeping form.

You may have a dead top or there may be sunburn from the exposed stem at the top where new growth cannot form.

Soil fertility and water management are key factors in the enhancement of plant health and growth. Water and fertilize appropriately and you may see new growth at the top and throughout. With a photo or two and description of the growing conditions, we may be able to give you more specific information.

Pruning is tricky and takes a keen eye and preferably some good training and experience. Even professionals don’t get it right sometimes and make a wrong cut that distorts the unique growth habit. Preserve the uppermost growth of the more vertical arching leaders. Remove only deadwood and severely crowded and crossing branches, if you can sort it out and make a strategic cut. If you’re not sure of what you are doing with each cut, then leave it alone and stick to deadwood and maybe pruning off some lower branches to raise the canopy as the topmost growth develops.

Answer 2

I forgot to provide the link to an article on weeping cherries:

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/trees/weeping-cherry/weeping-cherry-growing-tips.htm