Cherry Tree in August: monthly care

Prune cherry trees in July or August, during the growing season when sap is flowing. Never prune in winter: open wounds in dormant wood invite silver leaf disease, a serious fungal infection that can kill the tree. Summer pruning also reduces the risk of bacterial canker. For young trees in their first three or four years, focus on building a balanced framework. Remove any shoots growing from the trunk below the main branches, and thin crossing or inward-facing stems to create an open, goblet-shaped crown that allows light and air into the centre. Cut back the tips of the main branches by about a quarter to encourage strong lateral growth. Established trees need lighter pruning. Remove dead, damaged, or diseased wood first, cutting back to healthy tissue. Take out any branches that rub against each other or grow vertically through the centre of the canopy. Aim to maintain the open structure you established early on. Cherry trees fruit on short spurs that develop on older wood, so avoid heavy pruning of mature branches unless necessary. Always use clean, sharp secateurs or a pruning saw. Make cuts just above an outward-facing bud at a slight angle, and avoid leaving stubs. If you must remove a large branch, cut it in sections to prevent tearing the bark. Dispose of all prunings—don't compost diseased material. If silver leaf symptoms appear (a silvery sheen on leaves, purple staining in cut wood), prune affected branches back to clean wood immediately.