The wonderful cake tree naturally preserves its pyramidal crown, so pruning is not mandatory. In order to cut the seductively scented ornamental tree into shape if necessary, there are a few aspects to consider. Read here how to properly cut your Katsura tree.
How do I trim a cake tree correctly?
The best time to prune the cake tree is in late winter during sap dormancy or around the 24th. June (Johanni). Remove all dead shoots, inward-facing and crossing branches, shorten branches that are too long and thin out for optimal light and air supply.
These two dates are available to choose from
Twice a year a time window opens for pruning your Katsura tree. During the leafless period in late winter, you not only have a clear view of the branches. In addition, the tree is in a state of dormancy, so even a radical pruning will not throw it off track. Please use the scissors on a frost-free day with dry weather.
Under your loving care and in the ideal location, the growth on the Katsura tree sometimes takes on undesirable dimensions. In order to regulate this with a slight cut, another cutting time is a day around June 24th (Johanni). Ideally, the tree should not be exposed to direct sunlight during pruning work.
Cutting and thinning go hand in hand
A cake tree maintains its harmonious silhouette and robust vitality if you combine pruning with thorough thinning. As long as it is ensured that light and air reach all parts of the plant, there is no risk of baldness from the inside. How to do it right:
- Cut off all dead shoots at the base
- Remove inward-facing and crossing branches
- Short branches that are too long by up to two thirds, if desired
- Limit the summer cut to slight corrections of a maximum of a third
If your Katsura tree is a refined standard tree, rapidly growing wild shoots may appear. These sprout from the rootstock and strive vehemently to overgrow the grafted crown. Whenever these branches catch your eye, tear them off with a courageous tug. As long as only a small remnant of tissue remains on the trunk, the wildlings will sprout again.
Tip
The yellow to scarlet autumn color on a cake tree is more intense the more acidic the soil. Therefore, when choosing a location for your new Katsura tree, check the pH value of the soil and give preference to a location with values between 5.0 and 6.5.
