Trying to save a cherry tree - help!

Good afternoon everyone, I'm looking for a bit of advice if anyone is able to help.

I have a cherry tree in my garden and when we moved into the house 18 months ago, it was covered in ivy to the point where I questioned how long the tree would survive as the ivy seemed to be choking many of the branches.

In spring last year when it bloomed, it looked lovely so I was determined to keep it and was advised to cut the ivy at the base so it died off which, although it took quite a while to do, it died off. As you can see, I still need to pull it all off the tree.

However, another issue is that in the storms back in autumn, one of the branches snapped (you can see it still hanging off in the picture).

My question is, should I just cut off the bit hanging off or take the thicker bit it's attached to right back to the trunk? My only concern with this is that it would look a bit unbalanced but if that will increase my chances of keeping the tree then that's what I'll do.

I don't really know the theory behind how trees grow/recover/branch out so I'm a bit stuck!

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

If that is all one tree I think I would take it back to that section below where there is another branch coming out horizontally to the right.

I dont think they advise cutting back cherry in the winter, I'm not sure TBH, but I'd risk it.

 

Thanks for that Pete, it is indeed one tree.

Have I understood your recommendation correctly on where to cut it? I've marked it on the image below. I've just read up and I think you're right not pruning in winter but I agree that it's probably worth taking the chance and I've seen that there are 'heal and seal' type products on the market which I could try.

 

If disease is going to get into a wound, it already will have done, so nothing to lose. I'd cut the broken branch about 30cm from the trunk, then disinfect the saw and make a lovely, clean cut 1cm from the trunk.

 

Well I would go above that branch sticking out to the right, so higher than you have marked.

 

Understood, thanks Pete!

 

Interesting, thanks for that. So your second cut, once the saw is disinfected, be here where I've marked in red below which essentially removes that whole section and just leaves the main section on the left of the tree? That's what I was initially planning to do but wasn't sure.

 

I agree with Pete. I would cut it much higher up, just below where it seems to bend over but that would depend on whether you could safely reach it. My reasoning being that if you can save it higher up, then new shoots should grow and it won't look so unbalanced.
However, if height is an issue, then just cut the hanging branch at a height to suit. A good clean sloping cut so any rainwater drains off. I wouldn't use a sealer as I believe they are not recommended for cut branches these days, better to let the break heal itself.
Good luck, hope your tree survives.

 

That's it. The first cut takes the weight so the bark doesn't tear downwards. As long as you leave a 1cm 'rim' then the bark should heal over cleanly. You might even get new shoots so if you do want another branch, rub all but one out when they're tiny.

 

If you feel capable of cutting fair enough but going by the size and thickness I would be getting a tree surgeon in who would also give you advice of its state of health. If you want to hire a chain saw they will not give you one unless you have all the safety equipment that is required to go with it as my friend found out.

 

Thank you for the help and advice everyone, that’s great

 

Personally I would cut it off just below the break and then in the summer cut it down further to where you want it (but I do agree with Pete). This would help against silver leaf but it's probably overkill because plenty of people around my way hack, and I mean hack, their cherries down at this time of year and it rarely causes a problem. I wouldn't use anything to seal the cut.

 

Brilliant, thank you - that really helps