Even experienced gardeners make annoying mistakes when pruning cherry trees in the fall. As a result of improper processing, the yield decreases, the plants dry out, wither and even die. Autumn care will help form the crown, prepare the cherry for the winter, rejuvenate and improve the health of the bush. However, even knowing the rules for pruning garden crops, you can make mistakes.
Removing only external branches
The error is typical when processing bush cherry varieties. Gardeners trim only the outer shoots, leaving the middle of the bush untouched. Due to the thickening, the central branches do not receive enough light and air; they intertwine and rub against each other, damaging the bark. This leads to the spread of diseases and rotting of the mother trunks.
Improperly shortening branches
Shortening branches is one of the methods for trimming cherry trees. It helps to form the skeleton, control the growth and splendor of the crown.
When carrying out the procedure, it is important to remember that the main branches that make up the backbone of the tree can be shortened by no more than 40 cm, young and lateral branches - by 10 cm. Leaf and flower buds of cherries are formed mainly at the ends of the shoots. If you remove too much, there will be no harvest.
It is better to remove damaged or infected branches completely.
Failure to comply with pruning deadlines
It is better to cultivate the garden in dry, windless weather.Excess moisture can lead to the spread of infection.
The main indicator of the readiness of cherries for autumn pruning is the shedding of foliage. At this time, sap flow stops, the plant falls asleep and tolerates the removal of shoots more easily.
The timing of the procedure depends on the region of growth:
- Siberia and the Urals - until the end of September;
- Moscow region, Volga region, central Russia - September - first half of October;
- Southern regions – November.
It is important to do it before frost, otherwise the cherry will not survive the cold.
Improper pruning of branches
Cherry branches should always be pruned into rings. This way the wounds heal faster, and the shoots continue to actively grow.
It is important to remove trunks or large branches of shrubs so that no stumps remain. Over time, they begin to rot and crumble, and hollows appear in them. The infection easily penetrates to the root and can destroy the plant.
It is important not to forget about garden pitch and disinfectant solutions. Any cut must be processed.
There is an opinion among novice gardeners that cherries can only be processed in spring and summer. It's wrong! Cherry trees and bushes need skillful preparation for winter, which includes thinning the crown, shortening branches and removing damaged shoots.
