Cornelian cherries grow very slowly. Regular cutting is therefore unnecessary - unless you want to plant the ecologically valuable tree as a hedge. Which time is good and what you should consider when cutting cornelian cherries.
When and how should you cut a cornelian cherry?
Cornelian cherries should be cut after flowering for thinning, pruning or shaping in a hedge. Prune carefully to preserve flowers and fruit. Cuttings can be cut both after flowering and in winter.
Cutting cornelian cherries
The cornelian cherry is considered to tolerate pruning, even if it is not necessary to prune the tree regularly. Pruning may be necessary for the following reasons:
- Blending
- Cut back
- Cut as a hedge
- Cut cuttings
Thinning after flowering
Like all early bloomers, cornelian cherries are best cut immediately after flowering. Since the flowers and later the fruits grow on the annual wood, you should thin out the tree carefully.
With each cut you remove flowers and fruits, which are good food sources for bees, bumblebees, birds and many other garden inhabitants.
Cut back the cornelian cherry heavily
If the plant has become too large or has spread too much, severe pruning may be necessary.
This is also done after flowering. You can cut away as much as you like. The cornelian cherry doesn't mind heavy pruning.
However, it may have little or no flowering for two years afterwards.
Cutting cornelian cherries in the hedge
Hedges made from cornelian cherries are shaped in the spring after flowering. It also applies here that the trees will only flower and bear fruit a little if the topiary is very strong.
Propagate cornelian cherries via cuttings
Cornelian cherries can be propagated quite well via cuttings. Opinions differ when it comes to the best time to cut the cuttings.
Some gardening experts recommend taking cuttings after flowering. Others think winter is the best time.
Both methods actually work. Cut pieces of shoots about 20 centimeters long that are only half woody and remove the lower leaves. Simply insert the cuttings into the soil in place.
Tip
Cornelian cherries grow very slowly. However, the robust, disease-resistant trees can grow very tall over time, reaching up to six meters. If you want to harvest cornelian cherries yourself, you should trim the tree regularly.