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#1
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Pruning a young tree
I bought a cherry tree (not the fruit kind) in a supermarket a few
months ago, and plonked it in my small yard against a fence by lifting a couple of the block paving stones. It's not exactly shaded, but only gets about three hours of direct sun a day. It seems to have taken fine, with lots of leaves on the two 'side' branches. The problem is the central branch which seems to have gone out of control. It's just keeps reaching for the sky, and has probably grown 4 inches in the past week. There's lots of little branch and leaf activity, but it's all hanging off a very spindly centre branch. I've supported this centre branch by tying it to a bamboo cane, but now it's gone beyond the 5 foot cane on its spindly ascent, and is lops over to one side. The other branches are about 2 feet below the the tip, on a tree that's about 6 feet high. I looked on the RHS web site, and they seem to say 'don't prune the centre branch'. Any ideas please? I am so obviously not a gardener, but i've quite taken to this creation of mine. Thanks, Rob |
#2
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Pruning a young tree
Rob writes
I bought a cherry tree (not the fruit kind) in a supermarket a few months ago, and plonked it in my small yard against a fence by lifting a couple of the block paving stones. It's not exactly shaded, but only gets about three hours of direct sun a day. It seems to have taken fine, with lots of leaves on the two 'side' branches. The problem is the central branch which seems to have gone out of control. It's just keeps reaching for the sky, and has probably grown 4 inches in the past week. There's lots of little branch and leaf activity, but it's all hanging off a very spindly centre branch. I've supported this centre branch by tying it to a bamboo cane, but now it's gone beyond the 5 foot cane on its spindly ascent, and is lops over to one side. The other branches are about 2 feet below the the tip, on a tree that's about 6 feet high. I looked on the RHS web site, and they seem to say 'don't prune the centre branch'. Pruning cherries is a bit dodgy as they are susceptible to disease entering through the cut ends. I'd be inclined to leave it to its own devices. It will slowly thicken up, and straighten as it thickens, so you will always have a floppy bit at the top, but the floppy bit will start higher and higher up each year. -- Kay |
#3
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Pruning a young tree
On 2009-07-22 10:31:45 +0100, Rob said:
I bought a cherry tree (not the fruit kind) in a supermarket a few months ago, and plonked it in my small yard against a fence by lifting a couple of the block paving stones. It's not exactly shaded, but only gets about three hours of direct sun a day. It seems to have taken fine, with lots of leaves on the two 'side' branches. The problem is the central branch which seems to have gone out of control. It's just keeps reaching for the sky, and has probably grown 4 inches in the past week. There's lots of little branch and leaf activity, but it's all hanging off a very spindly centre branch. I've supported this centre branch by tying it to a bamboo cane, but now it's gone beyond the 5 foot cane on its spindly ascent, and is lops over to one side. The other branches are about 2 feet below the the tip, on a tree that's about 6 feet high. I looked on the RHS web site, and they seem to say 'don't prune the centre branch'. Any ideas please? I am so obviously not a gardener, but i've quite taken to this creation of mine. Thanks, Rob Is it a weeping cherry? What name is on the label? If there isn't one, ask the gc you bought it from if they know. If you do have the name, someone here may be able to give you some help. -- Sacha www.hillhousenursery.com Shrubs & perennials. Tender & exotics. South Devon |
#4
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Pruning a young tree
"Rob" wrote in message om... I bought a cherry tree (not the fruit kind) in a supermarket a few months ago, and plonked it in my small yard against a fence by lifting a couple of the block paving stones. It's not exactly shaded, but only gets about three hours of direct sun a day. It seems to have taken fine, with lots of leaves on the two 'side' branches. The problem is the central branch which seems to have gone out of control. It's just keeps reaching for the sky, and has probably grown 4 inches in the past week. There's lots of little branch and leaf activity, but it's all hanging off a very spindly centre branch. I've supported this centre branch by tying it to a bamboo cane, but now it's gone beyond the 5 foot cane on its spindly ascent, and is lops over to one side. The other branches are about 2 feet below the the tip, on a tree that's about 6 feet high. I looked on the RHS web site, and they seem to say 'don't prune the centre branch'. Any ideas please? I am so obviously not a gardener, but i've quite taken to this creation of mine. Thanks, Rob You need to think quite seriously about having such a tree in a small yard because, if it is a Japanese cherry blossom tree, it will eventually grow quite large and become a nuisance. Its rooting system may also become very troublesome. Try and establish its species and variety so that we can be more specific. |
#5
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Pruning a young tree
"Sacha" wrote in message
... On 2009-07-22 10:31:45 +0100, Rob said: I bought a cherry tree (not the fruit kind) in a supermarket a few months ago, and plonked it in my small yard against a fence by lifting a couple of the block paving stones. It's not exactly shaded, but only gets about three hours of direct sun a day. It seems to have taken fine, with lots of leaves on the two 'side' branches. The problem is the central branch which seems to have gone out of control. It's just keeps reaching for the sky, and has probably grown 4 inches in the past week. There's lots of little branch and leaf activity, but it's all hanging off a very spindly centre branch. I've supported this centre branch by tying it to a bamboo cane, but now it's gone beyond the 5 foot cane on its spindly ascent, and is lops over to one side. The other branches are about 2 feet below the the tip, on a tree that's about 6 feet high. I looked on the RHS web site, and they seem to say 'don't prune the centre branch'. Any ideas please? I am so obviously not a gardener, but i've quite taken to this creation of mine. Thanks, Rob Is it a weeping cherry? What name is on the label? If there isn't one, ask the gc you bought it from if they know. If you do have the name, someone here may be able to give you some help. -- Sacha If it is a Winter Flowering Cherry, mind how and WHEN you prune it. -- Mike The Royal Naval Electrical Branch Association www.rneba.org.uk Luxury Self Catering on the Isle of Wight? www.shanklinmanormews.co.uk |
#6
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Pruning a young tree
Rob wrote:
I bought a cherry tree (not the fruit kind) in a supermarket a few months ago, and plonked it in my small yard against a fence by lifting a couple of the block paving stones. It's not exactly shaded, but only gets about three hours of direct sun a day. It seems to have taken fine, with lots of leaves on the two 'side' branches. The problem is the central branch which seems to have gone out of control. It's just keeps reaching for the sky, and has probably grown 4 inches in the past week. There's lots of little branch and leaf activity, but it's all hanging off a very spindly centre branch. I've supported this centre branch by tying it to a bamboo cane, but now it's gone beyond the 5 foot cane on its spindly ascent, and is lops over to one side. The other branches are about 2 feet below the the tip, on a tree that's about 6 feet high. I looked on the RHS web site, and they seem to say 'don't prune the centre branch'. Any ideas please? I am so obviously not a gardener, but i've quite taken to this creation of mine. Thanks, Rob Many thanks for the replies. Seems I hadn't thought this through ;-) Tree type - I really don't know - it was from Aldi for a fiver, and I've thrown the label away. I'm pretty sure it just said 'cherry tree' with a picture of a tree with that pink blossom. It had a black tiny beetle infestation early on, accompanied by ants. I saw that off with systemic insecticide and greased paper around the trunk. Placement - it gets worse. It's about a 2 feet from a substantial 10 foot wall/bank down the to the house below. My plan was to just keep it at about 7/8 feet, with a misplaced notion that the roots wouldn't do anything spectacular. Thing is, there are lots of trees along the boundary line of other houses. Trees without substantial route systems I suspect. Looks like an uprooting is in order? Some pics: http://patchoulian.googlepages.com/tree On this showing a good job I don't have children. Or pets. Or clothes that need ironing. Etc. Rob |
#7
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Pruning a young tree
Rob writes
Tree type - I really don't know - it was from Aldi for a fiver, and I've thrown the label away. I'm pretty sure it just said 'cherry tree' with a picture of a tree with that pink blossom. It had a black tiny beetle infestation early on, accompanied by ants. I saw that off with systemic insecticide and greased paper around the trunk. Placement - it gets worse. It's about a 2 feet from a substantial 10 foot wall/bank down the to the house below. My plan was to just keep it at about 7/8 feet, with a misplaced notion that the roots wouldn't do anything spectacular. Thing is, there are lots of trees along the boundary line of other houses. Trees without substantial route systems I suspect. Looks like an uprooting is in order? Some pics: Just because something will eventually get too big doesn't mean to say you have to uproot it straight away. You can always enjoy it for a few years then get rid of it. But I would be a bit worried about that retaining wall, and I'd want to make sure the roots couldn't start damaging that - hopefully others will be able to advise you on creating a barrier, or replanting the whole thing in a buried container. -- Kay |
#8
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Pruning a young tree
On 2009-07-22 19:00:31 +0100, K said:
Rob writes Tree type - I really don't know - it was from Aldi for a fiver, and I've thrown the label away. I'm pretty sure it just said 'cherry tree' with a picture of a tree with that pink blossom. It had a black tiny beetle infestation early on, accompanied by ants. I saw that off with systemic insecticide and greased paper around the trunk. Placement - it gets worse. It's about a 2 feet from a substantial 10 foot wall/bank down the to the house below. My plan was to just keep it at about 7/8 feet, with a misplaced notion that the roots wouldn't do anything spectacular. Thing is, there are lots of trees along the boundary line of other houses. Trees without substantial route systems I suspect. Looks like an uprooting is in order? Some pics: Just because something will eventually get too big doesn't mean to say you have to uproot it straight away. You can always enjoy it for a few years then get rid of it. But I would be a bit worried about that retaining wall, and I'd want to make sure the roots couldn't start damaging that - hopefully others will be able to advise you on creating a barrier, or replanting the whole thing in a buried container. I hate the idea of a tree being in the wrong place, enjoyed for a few years and then cut down. I'm afraid that one looks (to me) like one that I'd pot up and give to someone as a present! In its place I'd suggest a Sarcococca or Daphne for winter scent and not taking up root room. -- Sacha www.hillhousenursery.com Shrubs & perennials. Tender & exotics. South Devon |
#9
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Pruning a young tree
Sacha writes
I hate the idea of a tree being in the wrong place, enjoyed for a few years and then cut down. I can never see why its any worse than taking a whole row of trees and keeping them permanently pruned to a uniform 6 ft ;-) -- Kay |
#10
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Pruning a young tree
On 2009-07-23 14:36:27 +0100, K said:
Sacha writes I hate the idea of a tree being in the wrong place, enjoyed for a few years and then cut down. I can never see why its any worse than taking a whole row of trees and keeping them permanently pruned to a uniform 6 ft ;-) But those are still living! And don't get me onto leylandii... ;-)) -- Sacha www.hillhousenursery.com Shrubs & perennials. Tender & exotics. South Devon |
#11
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Pruning a young tree
Sacha writes
On 2009-07-23 14:36:27 +0100, K said: Sacha writes I hate the idea of a tree being in the wrong place, enjoyed for a few years and then cut down. I can never see why its any worse than taking a whole row of trees and keeping them permanently pruned to a uniform 6 ft ;-) But those are still living! And don't get me onto leylandii... ;-)) But being tortured! ;-) -- Kay |
#12
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Pruning a young tree
On 2009-07-23 15:48:06 +0100, K said:
Sacha writes On 2009-07-23 14:36:27 +0100, K said: Sacha writes I hate the idea of a tree being in the wrong place, enjoyed for a few years and then cut down. I can never see why its any worse than taking a whole row of trees and keeping them permanently pruned to a uniform 6 ft ;-) But those are still living! And don't get me onto leylandii... ;-)) But being tortured! ;-) So it's death or torture, eh? Tough choice! -- Sacha www.hillhousenursery.com Shrubs & perennials. Tender & exotics. South Devon |
#13
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Pruning a young tree
"Sacha" wrote in message
... On 2009-07-23 15:48:06 +0100, K said: Sacha writes On 2009-07-23 14:36:27 +0100, K said: Sacha writes I hate the idea of a tree being in the wrong place, enjoyed for a few years and then cut down. I can never see why its any worse than taking a whole row of trees and keeping them permanently pruned to a uniform 6 ft ;-) But those are still living! And don't get me onto leylandii... ;-)) But being tortured! ;-) So it's death or torture, eh? Tough choice! -- Sacha So you don't do any pruning don't you? How odd!! Most people do!!!! -- Mike The Royal Naval Electrical Branch Association www.rneba.org.uk Luxury Self Catering on the Isle of Wight? www.shanklinmanormews.co.uk |
#14
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Pruning a young tree
Sacha writes
On 2009-07-23 15:48:06 +0100, K said: Sacha writes On 2009-07-23 14:36:27 +0100, K said: Sacha writes I hate the idea of a tree being in the wrong place, enjoyed for a years and then cut down. I can never see why its any worse than taking a whole row of trees and keeping them permanently pruned to a uniform 6 ft ;-) But those are still living! And don't get me onto leylandii... ;-)) But being tortured! ;-) So it's death or torture, eh? Tough choice! Well, I inflict both on my trees :-) -- Kay |
#15
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Pruning a young tree
On 2009-07-23 17:13:22 +0100, K said:
Sacha writes On 2009-07-23 15:48:06 +0100, K said: Sacha writes On 2009-07-23 14:36:27 +0100, K said: Sacha writes I hate the idea of a tree being in the wrong place, enjoyed for a years and then cut down. I can never see why its any worse than taking a whole row of trees and keeping them permanently pruned to a uniform 6 ft ;-) But those are still living! And don't get me onto leylandii... ;-)) But being tortured! ;-) So it's death or torture, eh? Tough choice! Well, I inflict both on my trees :-) But with torture there's always the chance they'll let you live! ;-) -- Sacha www.hillhousenursery.com Shrubs & perennials. Tender & exotics. South Devon |
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