How to prune a sour cherry tree (Prunus cerasus): guide

What are sour cherry trees?

Sour cherry trees (Prunus cerasus, also Morello cherry) are smaller and far more manageable than sweet cherries. They grow to 5-8 metres, perfect for front and back garden. They are self-fertile - you need just one tree.

The main difference: they fruit on younger wood. Sweet cherries on 2+ year old branches; sour cherries also on 1-year-old shoots. This makes pruning different.

Typical sour cultivars: 'Morello', 'Amarelle', 'Griottine', 'Schattenmorello'.

Step 1: Understand the growth pattern

Sour cherry trees grow faster than sweet cherries and get dense quicker. They fruit abundantly, but need much thinning for good quality. They tolerate shade better than sweet cherries.

They are quieter on diseases. Leaf curl and gummosis are less problematic than in sweet cherries.

Step 2: Timing - May through August

Like sweet cherries: NEVER prune in autumn or winter. The tree bleeds sap and attracts fungi.

Correct timing: May through August. Even stronger than sweet cherries - sour cherries recover quickly and can be pruned aggressively.

Step 3: Shape young tree (year 1-2)

Plant your tree in March. Let it grow to 100-120 cm. In May begin gentle shaping.

Goal: open, rounded shape (no stem formation needed). Sour cherry trees look better with low, wide crowns.

Carefully cut back to select 4-5 main branches. By end of year two you have open structure.

Step 4: Annual pruning cycle (year 3+)

This is where sour cherries are easy. Each year (May/June) cut:

1. All brown/dead wood - no exceptions
2. Long, straight shoots - growing vertically (leafy, non-fruiting) back 1/3
3. Crossing branches - keep only one
4. Lower shaded branches - they bear no more fruit

Step 5: Thin for fruit

Sour cherry trees fruit thickly. You get many small cherry clusters. Thinning improves quality.

In June, when fruits are walnut-sized, thin to one cherry per 5 cm of twig. This sounds like lots of pruning, but you get far larger, sweeter cherries.

Step 6: Limit height

Sour cherry trees can grow wild (to 8 metres). For front garden you control height.

Each year force the highest point back. Stop at 2-3 metres. Much more manageable than 6-8 metres.

Step 7: Manage two-year-old wood

This is the secret of sour cherries. They fruit on 1-year-old shoots, but also on 2+ year-old. This means you can prune aggressively without losing everything.

Each year cut about 1/3 of older wood back to younger shoots. This rejuvenates the tree and keeps it dense without going wild.

Step-by-step sour cherry pruning

Step 1: Select open form

Start with 4-5 main branches, low crown, no stem needed.

Step 2: Annual pruning May/June

Remove dead wood, long straight shoots, crossings.

Step 3: Thin fruits

In June to one cherry per 5 cm of twig, larger berries.

Step 4: Limit height

Each year pull top back to desired height (2-3 metres).

Step 5: Rejuvenation pruning

1/3 of old wood each year cut back to younger branches.

Step 6: Keep crown airy

Heavy thinning - sour cherries tolerate this well.

Step 7: Branch knowledge

Fruiting on 1+2 year old wood, so you can prune hard.

Frequently asked questions

Sour vs. sweet cherries - which is easier?

Sour cherries are easier. Lower (5-8m vs. 20m), self-fertile, more disease-resistant, fruit faster (1-2 years) and tolerate heavy pruning. Sweet cherries have nicer fruit and larger size. Choose sour for low-maintenance front garden.

Can I grow a sour cherry in a pot?

Yes, to some extent. In large pot (40-50 litres) grow to roughly 1.5-2 metres. Yield is lower, watering needs higher in summer. Possible, but ground is better.

My sour cherry is huge. Can I cut it short?

Yes! This is the advantage of sour cherries. You can prune hard. Cut everything back to 2-3 metres and thin crown. In May/June it grows again. Tree recovers well.

How much harvest can I expect?

A good sour cherry (4-5 years) gives 5-15 kg per year, depending cultivar and weather. Less than sweet cherry volume, but cherries are more tart (better jam).

What diseases should I watch for?

Much less than sweet cherries. Leaf curl (Taphrina) - green curling leaves - can occur, especially in wet springs. Prevention: good light, no autumn pruning. Canker is rare.

Can I make sour cherries into espaliers?

Yes, easier than sweet. Sour cherry trees are more flexible. Follow the same steps as plum espaliers, but sour cherries recover faster and tolerate heavier pruning.

Easy fruit tree for front garden

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