Guys

thanks for your input. The normal matters relating to pruning fruit trees
(such as when dormant), don't seem to apply to cherry trees from most of the
sites I have read on cherries due to some sort of winter disease/virus.
Hence my confusion.

regards
Don
"sherwindu" wrote in message
...


Dwayne wrote:

Hi Don. I was taught not to prune until the trees were dormant. That
means
in the winter. Since we are having winter here, you are having summer
down
there. I would wait until they are dormant. I was taught that if you
prune
them before they are dormant, diseases and insects will have a way to get
in
the tree.

Dwayne:

I think a more important reason for not pruning unless the tree is
dormant,
as
otherwise you are stimulating the tree to put out additional growth
where you

don't wnat it (like suckers).



Next, I wouldn't prune them too hard if they are that young. I would
take
out any dead wood on the tree, any limbs that are growing toward the
ground,
any limbs that are growing toward the center of the tree, and any limbs,
that if left alone, would soon be rubbing against another branch that
will
be more important to you later.

Within the next few years, you will need to look at the tree and see how
it
is shaped. Then you will have to decide how you want it to look in 10
years. As you prune it, shape it the way you want it to be. You prune
above a bud pointed in the direction you want the tree to grow.

I have an apple tree that started out with 5 main center branches. You
aren't supposed to take out more than 1/3 of the tree at any one pruning,

I believe that should be in any one season.

Otherwise I agree with most of what you say.

If the original poster wants more
detailed information, there is a slew of stuff on the internet. Just
google
or search
on 'pruning fruit trees', and lot's of references should pop up.

Sherwin D.

so
I took off the two smallest unwanted leaders. Then I put a brace on the
one
I had selected for my best leader, to make it pull toward the center of
the
tree. Within the next 2 or 3 years, I will have that branch the center
of
the tree, the other 4 leaders will be gone, and it will be shaped like a
tree, not a funnel.

Have fun. Dwayne

"Don" wrote in message
...
My cherry trees have just given us our first fruits since being
planted.
I have finished picking and need to prune the tree (or so I am told).
As
I don't have any experience in pruning and wouldn't know a leader from
a
politician, can someone help me out with a layman's guide to what I
need
to do!!

merry Christmas all.

--
Don From Down Under