Pruning Prunus

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Red Hare

Location: Oregon coast

Posted: Jan-21-2005 at 1:45pm

I have two Kwanzan flowering cherries in my front yard that are now maybe 4 years old and are doing well, but I'd like to keep them from getting too 'leggy.' Does anyone have any experience cutting back the branches so the trees will fill out more? I'm terrified of cutting them back and then discovering that I've ruined their natural shape. Maybe I should just leave them alone, just pruning out limbs that are crossing other limbs, that sort of thing, but not cutting them back.

I wonder if 'pruning anxiety' is a recognized medical malady, and if there is medication for it. I wonder what other gardening neuroses I've developed.....

 

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mdvaden

Location: Oregon, Western

Posted: Jan-21-2005 at 4:21pm

I found - in many cases - that fertilizing is one cause of legginess. If you can avoid that, or are avoiding that, there is one 'promotional bell-ringer'.

Generally, the cutting of a branch, produces off-form sprouts.

Possibly, you can follow an exceptionally long branch back to another set of limbs and make the cut there. That way, the inner twigs or limbs become the new ends.

Apparently, flowering cherry prosper much better with minimal watering. I recall at the Portland Commnunity College campus, that the ones in the dry parking lot area on raised mounds were 8 times bigger than the ones in the moist irrigated area near the lawn. Turf competed parttially, but moisture was the big factor according to Jim Meyer, the Plant ID instructor.

M.D. Vaden

 

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Red Hare

Location: Oregon coast

Posted: Feb-01-2005 at 11:44am

I'll leave them alone then, except as necessary. I don't water my trees once they become established because I want the roots to reach down for moisture. Of course, I try not to plant anything that isn't drought tolerant.

Thanks, I feel much better.