How to Prune a Weeping Cherry Blossom Tree
By [http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Kum_Martin/43017]Kum Martin
Come spring, and you will see a cherry blossom plant in its full splendor. The blossoms can be white or light pink and grow all over the tree. A cherry blossom tree in full bloom adds beauty to any landscape. Generally, people love to grow a weeping cherry blossom tree in their garden as their shape can be maintained easily with regular pruning. These trees grow to a maximum height of around forty feet, but normally it has been seen that most weeping cherry blossom trees do not grow this tall. Also, they spread to just around fifteen to twenty-five feet and do not take up too much room in a garden.
Here are some tips on how to prune a weeping cherry blossom tree:
Before beginning the pruning process, it is important to determine the kind of tree it is. A weeping cherry blossom tree can be a grafted one or a natural one. If the tree is a grafted one, you will be able to see the graft knot on the trunk of the tree. This knot will be present under the crown, or around one foot under the crown of the tree. The pruning will be slightly different for grafted and natural trees.
Pruning should be done in early part of spring or late fall. Do not prune the tree when it is full of blossoms or leaves.
Start from the lower branches. Trim branches that are touching the ground. After trimming the branches should be 6 inches or more from the ground. Then shift to the other branches. Remove branches that appear dead or diseased. If there are branches crossing one another or rubbing against one another, remove the weaker branch. This is commonly seen in grafted weeping cherry blossom trees. If the tree is a grafted one, then remove branches that are growing vertically. Such branches will continue to grow in this manner and lessen the aesthetic appeal of the tree. In natural weeping cherry blossom trees, vertical branches are not a problem as the branches tend to arch naturally towards the ground giving the appearance as the tree is weeping.
In case of a grafted tree, check the center of the foliage. You will find branches are twisted or growing in different directions. These branches should be trimmed to train them to arch towards the ground.
Once you have finished, observe the shape of the tree. If the tree does not have a weeping shape, then trim some more branches at the crown. Ensure that the tree has a uniform shape.
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