The bird cherry grows quickly and is particularly expansive. Regular pruning is essential to keep them under control. However, timing is important here.
The bird cherry can be a real enrichment in gardens and parks. The attractive rose plants start the garden year with their white flower clusters. The flowers smell pleasant and also attract butterflies and bees. The fruits ripen in late summer. The black berries form an atmospheric contrast to the golden yellow autumn colour. If you would also like to enjoy the bird cherry in the future, you need to take a few care measures to heart. Since the bird cherry proves to be particularly keen on growing and has an enormous urge to spread, pruning the plants is one of the most important tasks that the hobby gardener can expect in connection with the plant.
Don't neglect pruning
The bird cherry grows quickly, spreading in all directions. This does not always happen to the unlimited joy of the hobby gardener. Regular pruning should not be neglected to prevent uncontrolled growth.
You have the choice of growing your plant as a shrub or as a tree. The available space certainly plays a major role here, because not everyone has the opportunity to cultivate a tree that is up to 20 meters high in the garden. If the bird cherries are pruned in height, they grow all the more in width. Shrubs develop that can grow up to ten meters in height. The densely leafy plants form sprawling roots.
Prevent roots from sprout
The roots should already be stopped when planting. The spread of the root system can be restricted by applying a root barrier. A dense network is used at an appropriate distance from the plant, which cannot be penetrated by the roots.
Pruning back cherries several times a year
Pruning the plants is, as already mentioned, the main task of the hobby gardener in connection with the care of the bird cherry. Aannual pruning will not be sufficient. The plant can grow almost 80 centimeters a year and also expand enormously.
Pruning back cherries - That's how it's done
The main cut is done during the winter months. The crop should not have started to sprout yet.
» Tip: Choose a frost-free and cloudy day without precipitation for pruning.
During the main pruning, remove all old, diseased and dead branches. The crown should be thinned out so that the branches are about 20 centimeters apart. Also remove branches that grow crosswise or have shoots that grow vertically upwards that are too long.
» Tip: Do not be too radical when pruning and keep the symmetry of the tree in mind.
Coming soon:
- perform during the winter months
- Pruning on a frost-free day
- remove dead branches
- Pruning shoots that are too long
- Thin out the crown
Keep Bird Cherry in Shape
Check your bird cherry regularly. If, for example, cracks can be seen in the bark, you should remove the branches in question. This is also necessary if the branches appear to be strong and he althy. Cracks in the bark are an entry point for bacteria and pests. Likewise, rainwater can penetrate the plant and start rotting processes there.
Cut at a slight angle, a few millimeters above an outward-facing eye. You do not necessarily have to treat the wound, because the slanted cut allows rainwater to drain off easily.
Always use sharp and disinfected tools. Frayed cut edges can promote the penetration of bacteria and fungi.
Counteract uncontrolled growth through regular grooming
Even during the growth phase, it is important to keep the bird cherry's willingness to grow in check. Therefore, grab your scissors immediately after flowering. Later pruning measures are not recommended, as the buds for the next year will then already form.
Pruning measures are not only necessary directly on the plant and on its crown. Also check the soil around the plant. If seedlings grow out of the ground, these should also be removed immediately. The roots can otherwise spread unhindered and thedamage surrounding plants.
If a root barrier has not been planted in the soil, it will be necessary to regularly remove the root shoots.
» Tip: A root barrier can also be used later on older plants.
An overview of pruning measures for bird cherry
| cutting measure | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Main cut | • The main pruning is carried out during the winter months on a frost-free and rain-free day. • All dead and rotting branches are removed. • Furthermore, the inner crown should be generously thinned out. |
| Regular Cut | • Regular pruning serves to keep the tree he althy. • Branches with burst bark are to be removed. • Even after storms and storms, the plant needs to be closed to ensure that broken branches do not become an accident hazard. |
| Regular maintenance cut | • The plant should also be checked regularly during the growth period and pruned if necessary. • To prevent uncontrolled growth, it should be pruned regularly after the flowering period. • Tree care also serves to remove seedlings that have spread on the ground. |