How To Prune A Weeping Cherry Tree

If you have a weeping cherry tree in your garden, you know it’s a stunning focal point. Learning how to prune a weeping cherry tree is the key to keeping it healthy and beautiful for years to come. This guide will walk you through the entire process, from timing to the final cut, ensuring you can care for your tree with confidence.

Pruning might seem intimidating, but it’s a simple routine once you understand the basics. Weeping cherries have a unique, cascading shape that requires a specific approach. With the right tools and knowledge, you can enhance its natural form and promote vibrant spring blooms.

This section covers the core principles and steps for proper pruning. The goal is to maintain the tree’s graceful shape while removing dead or problematic growth. Always remember that less is often more, especially with young trees.

Why Pruning Your Weeping Cherry is Essential

Regular pruning is not just about looks. It’s vital for the tree’s health. By removing dead or diseased branches, you improve air circulation and sunlight penetration. This helps prevent fungal infections and encourages strong new growth.

Pruning also maintains the tree’s structural integrity. Without occasional trimming, branches can become too dense or rub against each other. This can create wounds that allow pests and diseases to enter the tree.

When is the Best Time to Prune?

Timing is crucial for the health of your tree and its spring display. The ideal window is in late winter or early spring, just before new growth starts. At this time, the tree is still dormant, and the branch structure is clearly visible without leaves.

Late Winter/Early Spring: This is the primary pruning period for shaping and removing dead wood.
After Bloom: You can do very light, cosmetic pruning right after the flowers fade if needed.
Avoid Fall: Do not prune in autumn. Cuts heal slower then, increasing the risk of disease entering the tree.

Tools You Will Need

Using the right tools makes the job easier and prevents damage to the tree. Ensure all your tools are sharp and clean before you begin. Dull blades can crush branches, leading to poor healing.

Bypass hand pruners for small branches (up to ¾ inch).
Loppers for medium branches (¾ inch to 1 ½ inches).
A pruning saw for any larger limbs.
Rubbing alcohol or a disinfectant spray to sterilize blades between cuts, especially if you suspect disease.
Sturdy gloves and safety glasses for protection.

Step-by-Step Pruning Guide

Follow these steps in order to methodically prune your weeping cherry. Take your time and step back occasionally to look at the tree’s overall shape as you work.

Inspect the Tree: Walk around your tree slowly. Identify any dead, damaged, or diseased branches. These are your first priority for removal.
Remove Dead and Diseased Wood: Using your appropriate tool, cut dead branches back to the point of healthy growth or to the trunk. Make clean cuts just outside the branch collar (the swollen area where the branch meets the trunk).
Clear the Center and Trunk: Look for any suckers growing from the base of the trunk or rootstock. Also remove any upright “watersprout” branches growing against the tree’s weeping habit. These should be cut off flush with their point of origin.
Address Crossing and Rubbing Branches: Find branches that are crossing over each other or rubbing together. Choose the healthier or better-placed branch to keep, and remove the other.
Shape the Canopy: This is the artistic part. To encourage the weeping form, trim the ends of the cascading branches. Cut them back to a bud that faces outward or upward. Aim to create a balanced, umbrella-like shape, but avoid cutting into the older, thicker “scaffold” branches unless necessary.
Thin for Light and Air: If the canopy is very dense, selectively thin out some of the smaller branches throughout. This allows light and air to reach the interior, which is crucial for health.
Final Clean-up: Rake up and dispose of all pruned branches and leaves. Do not leave them around the base of the tree, as they can harbor pests over winter.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Even with good intentions, it’s easy to make errors. Being aware of these common pitfalls will help you protect your tree.

Topping the Tree: Never cut off the main leader or “top” the tree. This destroys its natural form and can lead to weak, unhealthy growth.
Over-Pruning: Removing more than 25% of the live canopy in a single year stresses the tree. It’s better to prune lightly and consistently each year.
Making Flush Cuts: Do not cut a branch flush with the trunk. Always leave the slight swelling of the branch collar intact, as this is where the tree’s natural healing process occurs.
Using Dull or Dirty Tools: This can’t be emphasized enough. Clean, sharp tools make precise cuts that heal quickly, reducing the risk of infection.

Aftercare Following Pruning

Your tree doesn’t usually need much special care after a proper pruning. The best thing you can do is ensure it has adequate water during dry spells, especially in the growing season following a prune. Avoid applying fertilizer right at the pruning time; it’s better to fertilize in early spring before new growth starts if a soil test indicates a need.

Keep an eye on the cut areas over the next few months. They should callus over naturally. If you see any oozing sap or discoloration, it might indicate a problem, but often a little sap is normal for cherry trees.

FAQ: Pruning Weeping Cherry Trees

Can I prune my weeping cherry tree in the summer?
Light pruning to remove small, problematic branches is okay, but major shaping should be done in late winter. Summer pruning can sometimes stimulate new growth that won’t harden off before winter.

How much should I cut off each year?
For maintenance pruning, aim to remove no more than 20-25% of the total live branches. Focus on the goals of deadwood removal, shaping, and thinning rather than taking a certain amount off.

My tree hasn’t been pruned in years. What should I do?
Don’t try to correct years of neglect in one season. Spread the work over 2-3 years. Start by removing all dead and diseased wood first, then gradually thin and shape in subsequent years.

Why is my tree not flowering well after pruning?
Weeping cherries form their flower buds on previous season’s growth. If you pruned too heavily or at the wrong time (like late summer), you might have removed many of these buds. Return to a late-winter pruning schedule, and blooming should improve.

What’s the difference between pruning a weeping cherry and an upright cherry?
Upright cherry trees are often pruned to a central leader shape. Weeping cherries are pruned to enhance their natural, cascading form, which means removing upright growth and trimming the weeping branches to encourage their graceful habit.

With this guide, you have all the information needed to approach pruning with confidence. Remember, the key is regular, thoughtful care. Your weeping cherry tree will reward your efforts with a stunning, healthy display of blossoms and graceful foliage each spring.