Although their name may suggest otherwise, weeping cherry trees bring joy to any garden. When in full bloom, their canopy transforms into a beautiful cluster of delicate flowers, spreading joy throughout the surroundings.
However, it takes some work to get the weeping cherry into good shape, not just regular watering and feeding. Pruning is a crucial aspect of weeping cherry tree care.
When should you prune a weeping cherry tree? The best time to prune the weeping cherry is when the tree is dormant and the last flower and leaves have fallen. Dormancy starts in late fall and extends until early spring. Prune a grafted weeping cherry in the fall, but a natural weeping cherry can be pruned either in the fall or early spring.
Even when you get the timing right, pruning the weeping cherry tree is not a straightforward matter. Read more to find out how to prune the tree and encourage it to bloom year after year.
Pruning is important, but it’s just one aspect of weeping cherry tree care. Discover all the key care guidelines, learn about different varieties and propagation methods, and find out how to troubleshoot issues in my detailed Guide to Weeping Cherry Trees.
Pruning a Weeping Cherry Tree
Usually, weeping cherry trees are either grafted or natural trees. How you approach the pruning process depends on whether the tree is grafted or not.
If you’re not sure what type of weeping cherry you have, check the tree trunk near the ground. If you find a knob, then the tree is grafted. Otherwise, you’re looking at a natural weeping cherry tree.
Best Time To Prune a Weeping Cherry Tree
As important as pruning the weeping cherry tree is, it has to be done at the right time, and the right time is when the tree is dormant. It’s easy to tell when the tree is dormant. You just wait for the last leaf to drop, which happens in late fall.
If you miss that opportunity, then you can prune it in the early spring before the first bud has emerged. In either case, the tree has to be completely bare.
Can You Prune a Weeping Cherry in Winter?
In practice, a natural weeping cherry tree can be pruned either in the late fall or early spring. A grafted tree should be pruned in the fall since the snarl or branches at the heart of the canopy are prone to damage by the wind.
However, winter is not a good time for pruning the weeping cherry, whether it’s grafted or natural. Pruning puts the tree under a lot of stress that can weaken the tree during the winter.
How Often Should You Prune a Weeping Cherry?
The weeping cherry tree should be pruned once a year to maintain its shape, trigger new growth, and promote good health.
However, some of the outer branches of the tree grow at a fast rate as they try to reach the ground. You can trim these branches lightly whenever you need to maintain the weeping look of the tree. The inner branches are only pruned annually when the tree is dormant.
When To Prune a Dwarf Weeping Cherry Tree
A dwarf weeping cherry tree is often more prone to silver leaf disease. Usually, the tree’s resources go into flowering, which leaves it open to this disease.
You should prune the dwarf weeping cherry in the summer after the tree has flowered. This will conserve the tree’s resources and allow it to focus on developing the trunk and branches and grow a more robust root system.
Should You Prune Grafted Weeping Cherry Trees?
Grafted weeping cherry trees need pruning even more than the natural ones. Usually, a grafted weeping cherry will develop a snarl of branches in the tree’s center. These branches get entangled easily, which makes them prone to damage.
By pruning this snarl, you avoid damage to the tree’s structure in the winter, which can impact its growth and flowering the next spring.
You should also check for any roots, buds, and any other signs of growth around the graft knob or coming out of the rootstock. The rootstock is the part of the grafted tree right above the ground.
Cut off any such roots or buds you see since they’re not part of the weeping cherry part of the tree.
How To Prune a Weeping Cherry Tree
Before you start pruning the tree, identify whether it’s grafted or natural. The tools are usually the same. Here’s a list of what you need.
- Bypass shears
- Gloves
- Glasses
- Ladder
Pruning a Grafted Weeping Cherry
- Sanitize the tools before touching the tree to prevent infections.
- Start with the branches reaching the ground. Trim them lightly to keep them about 6 inches above the ground.
- Move to the snarl of branches in the middle. These are not weeping as they grow upright. Cut the branches where they connect with the main branch.
- Work your way around the canopy, removing any damaged, diseased, or crossing branches. When removing crossed branches, choose the thinner of the two, and cut it at the base.
- Finally, focus on the overall shape of the tree. Trim as necessary to maintain the tree’s weeping look.
Pruning a Natural Weeping Cherry
- Make sure the tools are sanitized with rubbing alcohol.
- Trim the outer branches that touch the ground, and keep them 6 inches above the ground.
- Look for any damaged or broken branches, and cut them off.
- Cut any crossed branches, choosing the thinner of the two to remove.
- Don’t cut any branches growing upright. They will eventually arch down and weep on a natural weeping cherry.
- Give the tree a final light trimming to maintain the desired shape.
Pruning Water Sprouts/Suckers
Suckers often grow on grafted weeping cherry trees on the part of the trunk closest to the ground. This is the part that doesn’t belong to the weeping cherry. Suckers consume a lot of resources and ruin the appeal of the tree.
Examine the graft knob and the base of the trunk to look for such growths. Remove them with sterilized shears or a blade.
Common Pruning Mistakes To Avoid
Pruning ornamental trees requires skill and knowing what you’re doing. Cutting off the wrong branch could ruin the tree’s shape. The same applies to weeping cherry trees. Here are a few mistakes to avoid.
- Don’t cut upright growing branches on a natural weeping cherry. These branches will eventually bend down and weep.
- Don’t leave upright growing branches on grafted trees. They will not weep and can be damaged by the wind.
- Don’t cut any main branches that are connected to the trunk. These are part of the structure of the tree, and removing them can ruin its weeping quality.
- Use the right tools to cut thick branches. Scarring the trunk with small cuts opens the door for infections.
Related Questions:
How Tall Do Weeping Cherry Trees Get?
The weeping cherry tree averages between 20 and 25 feet at maturity.
What Is the Lifespan of a Weeping Cherry Tree?
The weeping cherry has a lifespan of 30 to 50 years.
Conclusion
The weeping cherry has a fast growth rate, especially for the outer branches reaching the ground. Prune the tree once a year in the fall for grafted trees and either the fall or early spring for natural ones.
If you enjoyed learning the ins and outs of pruning, you’re sure to enjoy reading these articles next:
- Where To Plant Weeping Cherry Trees: Best Zone, Soil & More
- Weeping Cherry Tree Size: Affecting Factors & Examples