Cherry Blossom is a bit wild

Hi all,

So we bought a new place last year and the garden, although mature and nice, was wild. We've had a lot of work to strip it back and present it how we want it.

We have a Cherry Blossom that had a whole load of dead branches and branches without any bloom. We have started to remove most of the Holly Bush Hedge we have that goes along the garden as it was blocking a lot of light from the tree.

Some advice on how to prune the tree or even where to start would be greatly appreciated?! Will probably wait until June before i tackle it.

This is our first home and gardening is now our most time consuming hobby :D

 

My guess is that the big tree behind is stealing light, and moisture / nutrients, from the Cherry and stopping it performing. Looks like it is leaning away fairly too ...

I would be planning for its imminent demise ...

Cherry trees "bleed" when cut, so important to do it at right time to minimise that. I think that July/August is best, and to avoid fungus infection. Sounds like that might fit in with your plans

 

This is what I was worried about.. Im pretty sure the tree has been there for over 20years (which is how long the previous owner let the holly hedge grow ) .

Would it just be a case of getting up in the tree with some ladders and cutting away the majority of smaller branches? I can just tell this is going to be a tedious process.

 

Not something I know about, but I reckon if you choose the correct time of year you can cut out anything you like. Anything dead, all crossing/rubbing branches, and then see what is left and where you might want to "improve" the structure.

I had a huge Cherry here, with a tall hedge behind it. It was facing South, so no shortage of light, but it was leaning forward (not a huge amount) and one day it decided it would just fall over ... It was probably 40 or 50 years old.


May 2013


July 2013 :(

 

Alright thanks, I'll give it a bash at a later date. Oh that is so upsetting, she was beautiful! I suppose sometimes it is just their time to go. Ours does definitely have quite a bit of lean on it. There are 2 trees right next to the Cherry so I guess it really is only a matter of time.

 

To you both.

 

Thanks!