Weeping Cherry trees
- bubbles714
- k_rop
- k_rop
- Carol Wallace
- Carol Wallace
- sambrose
- Carol Wallace
- sambrose
- Carol Wallace
- Mutzy
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» bubbles714 - Trimming a Weeping Cherry?
Hi! I also moved into a home with a weeping cherry tree in the front. It seems wonderfully healthy, and it's about 4.5 feet in height, and is getting full sun, but I don't know how to trim it. It looks really full now, but it's getting too "heavy" looking at the top. Should I trim from the bottom and also just the longer branches, or is there a "look" I should try to achieve? Also, is there a better or worse time of year to trim it?PS I live in central New Jersey, and it's mid-summer here.
-- posted by bubbles714
» k_rop - Re: Weeping Cherry Tree concern
In response to message posted by MELL5:This exact same thing happened to me. I bought a balled and burlaped weeping cherry (very large one). Within a couple of weeks the leaves turned brown and died as well as the branches. Now it is weeping a whitish sap from the trunk in various places. There are no wounds on the tree. I've had a couple of people look at it and they say to replace it. It does have new growth now from the main trunk but all of the branches are dead.
-- posted by k_rop
» k_rop - What is the correct way to plant a balled and burlaped tree
Carol,We are in the process of replacing a Japanese Weeping Cherry tree that has been planted about a month and a half, but has been having some problems. After planting the leaves all turned brown and died as did all the branches (no green underneath). Now it has new growth from the trunk of the tree only and the trunk is oozing a whitish sap from the top of the tree to the bottom. There are no wounds from mowing etc. It is about a 5 foot tall tree and probably 3 inches or so thick - so it's a fairly large tree. Did we plant improperly or is this some type of fungal disease? Also most of the leaves had a single small hair-like spore protruding from the edge of the leaf. I would love to have your advice on what you suspect may be causing this and what the proper way to plant and care for a tree like this would be. Once we replace it I would hate to lose another one!
Thanks so much,
Kim
-- posted by k_rop
» Carol Wallace - Re: Trimming a Weeping Cherry?
In response to message posted by bubbles714:I was just trimming mine back this week. Midsummer seems to be gaining favor as a time for pruning fruit trees. What I do is first shorten branches that are skimming the ground. It's up to you whether you want a "short skirt" in which case you want to try to trim the bottom off at the same level all the way around, or a long skirt which sweeps almost to the ground. Some people prefer the more groomed look, others prefer it more natural.
Other than that, when I prune I first try to remove any dead branches. Then I look for those that cross each other and remove one to eliminate that congestion. I also remove those that head into the tree toward the trunk rather than outward. This opens up the center of the tree and allows better air circulation, which is important for any living plant.
Anything else you want to remove is up to you and your aesthetic preferences. There isn't any one "look" - and since it's your garden, I would choose the look that you like best. ;-)
-- posted by Carol Wallace
» Carol Wallace - Re: What is the correct way to plant a balled and burlaped tree
In response to messageposted by k_rop:
Have you checked for insects and the other possible causes of cherry tree problems that I mentioned about 5 posts ago?
There is a good guide to planting a balled and burlapped cherry tree here.
At this site you can see a diagram showing the process.
It's difficult to tell what the problem may be without knowing more. You saw this thereadlike spore - but what happened to the leaves as they started to die. Did they turn yellow? Shrivel? Get spotted? There is a good guide to fruit tree diseases and pests here that also has pictures - perhaps one will look like what happened to your tree.
-- posted by Carol Wallace
» sambrose - Re: Re: Cherry Tree Problem
In response to message posted by CarolWallace:I have a cherry tree - but I don't know if it's a weeping cherry tree. It's approx 12 years old and 6'high at it's highest point. It's full with red/purple leaves.
I can't find pictures of cherry trees anywhere! Anyway just in the last week 3 or for of the main branches appear to be dying! The leaves started to wilt and now they are brown and dry. What is wrong? What should I do?
-- posted by sambrose
» Carol Wallace - Re: Re: Re: Cherry Tree Problem
In response to message posted by sambrose:Here is a photo of my weeping cherry - you can see how the branches cascade down so that eventually the sweep the ground. Conventional cherry trees have branches that reach upward. Yours may be an ornamental cherry - not all cherry trees are made to produce edible fruit. My weeping one doesn't, nor do the purple leafed ones I have.
I suggest you read back over this discussion because other people have asked questions similar to youra and you may find some answers alreeady posted. Take a good look at that branch and see if you can't find any kind of damage or evidence of pests. Unless we know the problem it's hard to suggest a cure - just like with people.
-- posted by Carol Wallace
» sambrose - Re: Re: Re: Re: Cherry Tree Problem
In response to message posted by CarolWallace:HI Carol,
Thanks for the response. I couldn't see a picture of your tree in the post...where would i find it?
In any case it must be an ornamental cherry tree because the branches do in fact reach up to the sky. In the spring there are pink flowers, then little cherries, and now just dark purple leaves. I read over all the posts and I still can't figure it out.
I also looked at my tree last nite - there are new little shoots coming out of the trunk and there is no oozing or damage I can see. Should I just prune away the 2-3 large branches that appear to be dead?? How can I tell if it's sick?
Thanks in advance!
-- posted by sambrose
» Carol Wallace - Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Cherry Tree Problem
In response to message posted by sambrose:<img SRC=http://www.suite101.com/files/topics/75/...> Sorry about that - I located the one photo of my weeping cherry that I had uploaded here and then forgot to insert it. I only have a picture of it in bloom - but you can still see the pattern of the branches.
That's the first thing I would so - prune away anything that looks sick or damaged. That way the tree doesn't waste any energy trying to send nourishment to it and can concentrate on the healthy stuff that's left.
Cherry trees, unfortunately, are prone to all kinds of pests, diseases and problems. It could be a fungus or blight - hard to tell without actually seeing it. If it's some kind of damage cutting off the affected parts may be enough. But if it continues, then chances are it's a blight or fungus. If you have a local Agricultural Extension Agency you can take a sample of the affected branch to them and they may be able to identify it. You might even try a local nursery.
-- posted by Carol Wallace
» Mutzy - Re: What is the correct way to plant a balled and burlaped tree
I am having problems with my weeping cherry tree. In the spring there were leaf buds, but when the leaves began to open, they seemed to dry up. Then the branches became brittle. I trimmed all the branches back. There is also a white saplike substnace on the trunk. What shoud I do? Is my tree beyond help?-- posted by Mutzy
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