Winter is the time of dormancy for cherry trees. Nature has provided this break for the trees so that they can sprout again in spring and delight us with their blossoms and a rich harvest in autumn.
How do I care for a cherry tree in winter?
Cherry trees require special care in winter, including winter pruning in mild temperatures, winter protection for roots with leaves or mulch and wrapping young trees with protective material. This helps maintain the he alth of the tree and prevent frost damage.
Winter time is not just rest time
For the trees in the garden and especially for the gardener, it's not just about resting, even in winter. In December/January the scions are cut, dying, diseased or severely damaged trees are felled and winter pruning is carried out. Although winter pruning is not expressly recommended for cherry trees, it is certainly possible and sensible - especially in mild winters.
The leafless cherry tree offers the best view of the crown at this time of year. However, in locations at risk of frost, pruning should be limited to thinning out thicker branches. The cutting of the shoots and the planting of the freshly planted cherry trees should only be done at the end of winter.
Winter pruning should not be carried out at temperatures below -5°C and in such a way that the cuts heal quickly and completely, because every wound endangers the he alth of the tree. A cut heals better and faster the smaller it is and the smoother its cut surface is.
Winter protection
Particularly low winter temperatures and a lack of snow cover can cause root damage to shallow-rooted cherry trees. That's why a tree disc made from leaves or mulch to protect the roots is useful and recommended. To avoid frost damage, it is also recommended, especially for columnar cherries and young trees, to wrap them with suitable winter protection material (€23.00 on Amazon).
Tips & Tricks
“But someone in the garden says: I can wait.
There's someone you barely know, he's become so thin: the cherry tree.
Isn't he sleeping? Someone trust the imp!
This afternoon at one o'clock there was a little bit of sunshine:
In it - I saw it clearly -
The old boy was fingering his buds, a little cautious and self-conscious about trying bath water. And a smile came over his wrinkles."