Triming my fruit tree, any tips?

**Nate** · February 15th, 2009, 02:18 PM

I have a sweet cherry tree on my property that needs trimmed badly. It looks like it has been neglected for quite some time and I don't really know much about fruit trees.

Any advice on how to trim it would be great!

Thanks.

(Ok this sux, I want to fix the spelling in the title)

**edstephan** · February 15th, 2009, 02:35 PM

Here is where I go for information.
Now is the time to prune.
http://ssfruit.cas.psu.edu/199.htm
Other helpful info at http://ssfruit.cas.psu.edu/

An OC Activist
Ed

**Nate** · February 17th, 2009, 08:55 PM

Thanks for the link

**nijwnfi** · February 17th, 2009, 09:42 PM

Are you looking to trim for fruit production, or just thin and elevate lower branches? There are two ways you can go here. Pruning for fruit production is a whole different ballgame. This would involve serious reduction in size, and shape. If you are not interested in fruit production, a little thinning of interior branches, and removing a lower limb or 2 would be fine. Pruning for fruit should be done this time of year, thinning, elevation can be done anytime. If you are not pruning for fruit production specifically, there is no need to reduce the height of the tree, just taking out interfering/crossing limbs and a little thinning would be fine. I've been in the tree business for 20+ years, I wouldn't steer ya wrong.