pruning a two-year old cherry tree

We have a two-year-old cherry tree (Kanzan, I think) which looks very healthy, but has 5 or 6 main branches, about 3 feet long coming out from the main 'trunk' at about 2 feet from the ground. These branches are all at about 45 degrees from the vertical. We want the main trunk to be much higher, say about 6 feet from the ground, and then let the branches splay out. Would it be OK to cut all but one of these branches, and tie it to a stake so it grows vertically? And if so, when would be the best time to do this?

 

Hello, As it grows I imagine it would get much higher on it's own accord.]


Having lost a mature cherry tree to canker last year ( 30 ft high), and as only the year before that I had mine pruned (by a fully qualified tree surgeon too-so it wasn't as if it was a bodge job-far from it, it was a very good job done) I wouldn't cut a healthy cherry for any reason, but there are a few expert tree people on here who will be along to correct me, if I am wrong.

I think you would let it grow, it is a very young tree.

 

Trees grow from the top not from the bottom
SO low branches should be pruned off regularly during the life of the tree
I would not cut too many off all at once though
Prune up to the collar where it attaches to the trunk. That collar is what grows over to heal the wound and protect the tree
Stake the longest branch as a leader meantime

 

This is something that always confuses me-I just can't understand why oak trees, or any for that matter don't have branches starting at 6 inches or so from the base of the trunk. What happens to them? They are there when they are saplings.

 

Thanks for your replies. I shall do as you say, whis4ey!

 

They may be eaten off by small animals or simply fall off as the tree ages Lolly
Maybe someone else knows?

 

It's just one of those questions I won't ever really "get" lol-kind of like Trigonometry-just beyond my feeble abilities to comprehend, they might die off as the newer stronger ones develop and the tree just sheds them.

 

It sounds like you've got a half standard when really what you want is a standard. I think it's possible to do as whis4ey says but it'll take awhile.

 

Hi juliangaylord,

What you have there is a very young tree that needs all the leaf cover it can on order to photosynthesize and grow. By removing any branches (and subsequently the leaves) you reduce the amount the tree will be able to grow, not to mention increase the risk of introducing harmful pathogens into the tree itself.

Trees grow from root to tip, not just from the top. Low branches help to feed the tree as much as the top ones. When the tree produces a wide crown and the light no longer reaches the lower branches the tree will shed them as they are no longer needed - hereby answering lollipop's question.

Staking a tree should only be undertaken as a last resort if the tree is prone to strong winds. Staking a tree unneccessarily will reduce it's trunk diameter and lower it's strength leaving it prone to snapping out in storms.

Two years is no age at all for a cherry tree. Be patient and the tree will develop as you want it to, or if you can't, simply buy a bigger tree! Come back in ten years if the tree has still not developed and we can discuss this further.

Hope this helps.

Matthew