My dwarf cherry recently had a canker infestation on its only branch, had to chop it off. Looked funny with only one big branch anyway. Now the tree is putting on most of the its new growth in a big ol' leader...this has me a bit concerned.
I would like several fruit bearing branches lower down on the tree, which means I want that cluster of twigs below the leader to branch out. Can I force this by cutting back the leader, or will they grow out on their own?
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I think that you will have to cut back the leader to promote those twigs into growth J3703.
It looks a nice tree with a strong leader and would just reach for the sky if left alone.
You may also have to just tip the little shoots that it has lower down ...if there are any...at the same time so that the tree is encouraged to grow at those points as well.
If the leader breaks into two shoots ( which is the norm ) next year remove the stronger one so that tree is persuaded to put more of its efforts into the lower structures.
Good luck.
It looks a nice tree with a strong leader and would just reach for the sky if left alone.
You may also have to just tip the little shoots that it has lower down ...if there are any...at the same time so that the tree is encouraged to grow at those points as well.
If the leader breaks into two shoots ( which is the norm ) next year remove the stronger one so that tree is persuaded to put more of its efforts into the lower structures.
Good luck.
I would add to that ...if you make the cut in the winter months then be sure to paint with a fungacide paint straight away.
All normal pruning on plums and cherries is best done in the late summer months when there is still a good sap run happening.
This helps to keep Silver Leaf and Bacterial Canker spores from infecting the tree as the oozing sap gives the tree some protection.
All normal pruning on plums and cherries is best done in the late summer months when there is still a good sap run happening.
This helps to keep Silver Leaf and Bacterial Canker spores from infecting the tree as the oozing sap gives the tree some protection.
No J.
Just cut six or so inches off the leader. That should be enouth to encourage the shoots to get going.
What will be important over the next couple of years will be to keep the leader at a weaker state.
The leader will re-shoot and often the top couple of buds will grow away. At the end of each season remove the stronger of these shoots so that the leader is kept as weak as possable until the framework branches down lower have been established.
Just cut six or so inches off the leader. That should be enouth to encourage the shoots to get going.
What will be important over the next couple of years will be to keep the leader at a weaker state.
The leader will re-shoot and often the top couple of buds will grow away. At the end of each season remove the stronger of these shoots so that the leader is kept as weak as possable until the framework branches down lower have been established.