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Follow much the same
pruning procedure as for plums. Fan trees are
formed in the same way. Afterwards, pinch back
the side shoots to about six leaves early in July;
in September, pinch back to four buds. If the
leader shoots are making excessive growth, bend
them down as far as possible and tie in, releasing
them after twelve months. Root pruning may also
be done as for plums.
With standards, cut the leader shoots back to
half way in April, at the same time removing any
dead wood but nothing more.
Morello cherries bear their fruit on the previous
year’s wood, so one must stimulate the plants
to produce a continuous supply of new wood. To
do so, cut back the laterals half way in autumn;
in spring, pinch back all side shoots to 5cm (2in).
The previous season’s shoots will now be
bearing new wood and blossom buds, and on these
the present year’s fruit is borne.
Until now, cherries have been grown on wild cherry
stock, which accounts for the vigour of the trees.
Today, however, a genetic dwarfing of rootstocks
obtained from crossing Prunus avium and P. cerasus
is resulting in trees of dwarf habit which come
sooner into bearing.
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