How to prune cherry plum in the summer correctly: schemes, stages and tips on the topic

Anyone who has already faced the problem when the cherry plum, planted on the site, is "harmful" and produces only small fruits, understands how important it is to take proper care of a demanding plant. When choosing garden procedures, it is important to observe the peculiarities of the culture so that all the measures taken will benefit the future harvest.

Is it possible to cut cherry plum in summer

Summer pruning of cherry plum is a useful procedure for fruit trees that have reached 5 years of age. It is contraindicated for younger plants due to possible trauma and subsequent slowdown in culture development.

Purpose of pruning

A correctly performed procedure is of great benefit:

• shoots begin to grow more evenly;
• skeletal branches become fruitful;
• the resulting harvest is larger and of better quality.

Is it obligatory

Some gardeners argue whether it is necessary to cut the cherry plum in the summer, because during this period the plant accumulates the greatest amount of nutrients, and the removal of branches deprives the tree of valuable elements. The procedure is recommended if the spring pruning did not bring the desired result and the cherry plum crown is not formed correctly.

Timing

The timing of summer pruning directly depends on the beginning of the active movement of sap inside the tree and the activity of pathogens. A procedure carried out at the wrong time will not only not improve the condition of the plant, but also increase the risk of infection with fungal diseases. The most favorable time to remove branches and shoots is June - early June, when pathogens are not yet very active.

Auspicious days

It is best to prune branches in the early morning and on cooler days. Do not wait for bright sunlight.

Important! The less often summer pruning is done, the better. Only diseased branches and shoots growing inside the crown are removed.

According to the lunar calendar for 2020, favorable days for pruning shoots in August are 6-7, 15, 20-26, 29.

Types of trimming

The future health and appearance of the cherry plum will depend on how the crown correction is performed. Depending on the purpose of the pruning, different types of pruning are distinguished:

1. Formative. It is performed in the early stages of plant life (in the second year after planting the seedling) to form the correct crown. Branches and shoots developing towards the trunk are removed.
2. Restorative. The plant recovers by removing pest-infested, diseased, dry and damaged branches.
3. Regulatory. It is used when it is necessary to thin out too dense crown - part of the leaves and fruits does not receive light.
4. Anti-aging. It is recommended to carry out if a decrease in yield is noticed. The procedure provokes the formation of new shoots.

Any type of pruning is carried out with the use of special antiseptic preparations - this will reduce the likelihood of developing diseases.

How to prune a tree correctly

Before carrying out the procedure, prepare the inventory, choose the correct pruning scheme and think over the process itself to the smallest detail.

Required materials and tools

Experienced gardeners recommend using:

• secateurs;
• loppers;
• garden hacksaw;
• antiseptic.

Gloves should also be worn to protect hands from injury or injury.

Pruning schemes

There are 3 schemes for pruning plums.The diagram clearly shows how to do this correctly, and how undesirable. In case of incorrect actions, the expected effect will not be achieved, and the plant will be damaged.

Important! After the summer crown correction, the plant is difficult to recover - the removal of branches greatly weakens the cherry plum. Pruning should be done as little as possible.

Step-by-step instruction:

1. Preparation of the necessary inventory.
2. Choosing the right day for the procedure.
3. The choice of the required type of pruning cherry plum.
4. Anti-aging pruning is done gradually. In the first year, old and dry branches are removed. In the second, healthy ones are corrected by thinning the crown. In the third third of the skeletal branches are removed.
5. Formative. Branches growing vertically and deep into the crown are removed.

Features of pruning depending on the type of tree

Cherry plum is sensitive to external conditions and physical influences, so the procedure should be carried out taking into account certain factors.

Depending on the age of the cherry plum

Summer pruning is carried out on a plant that has reached the age of 3 years, with a significant decrease in branch growth. When the tree reaches 5-6 years of age, it is advisable to carry out anti-aging pruning, provided that development stops completely. 25 years after planting cherry plum anti-aging correction is required in lean years so that the culture has time to recover.

Attention! To correct the crown of the cherry plum, only a sharp instrument is used, otherwise the blunt inventory will injure the bark and cause the development of diseases.

Depending on the region of cultivation

Since the beginning and duration of the summer season vary significantly in different regions of the country, the timing of pruning cherry plum is chosen individually. For example, in the Altai Territory, summer pruning begins at the end of May, and in the Arkhangelsk Region - in mid-June. You should also maintain a certain crown shape: in areas with cold winters, a vase-like pruning is practiced, in the middle lane - bush-like and pyramidal pruning.

Further care of the plant

After the summer pruning of the plum, the splayed one needs the following care:

1. Treatment of cut sites with garden varnish with a thickness of at least 5 mm and an antiseptic to prevent fungal diseases.
2. Abundant watering cherry plum with warm water.
3. Introduction of mineral and organic fertilizing depending on the growing season. In autumn - organic, in spring - nitrogen, and in summer - phosphorus and potash fertilizers.
4. The cut branches and shoots are burned.

In one procedure, you should not remove more than 1/3 of the branches of the plant, otherwise it will negatively affect the health of the cherry plum.

Experienced gardening tips

Experienced gardeners share their experience with beginners:

1. Do not be afraid to thin out branches on very dense plants. The dense crown of the plum harms the crop, significantly reducing its amount, and provokes the development of fungal diseases.
2. Pruning in the cold season is not recommended - the plant will not tolerate the removal of branches well. At low temperatures, open sections are not overgrown.
3. When correcting the crown of cherry plum, one should take into account grade... For example, the Kuban comet often loses its yield in the presence of a large number of dry branches. Therefore, the priority is anti-aging pruning. Columnar cherry plum is characterized by strong growth, therefore it is recommended to remove shoots growing in different directions.

It is interesting:

Breeding rules for cherry plum cuttings in summer and the stages of growing a tree from a twig
Is it possible to grow a cherry plum from a stone at home and how to do it
When and how to propagate rose hips by cuttings in summer correctly

Conclusion

Cherry plum pruning is an important part of grooming that should not be neglected. An incorrectly performed procedure reduces the effectiveness of all feedings, treatments for diseases and other care measures.