Photo: Ruslan V.Albitsky aka pauk, CC BY-SA 2.5 · source
Pruning guide · Fruit plant
Nanking cherry: when and how to prune
Prunus tomentosa
Nanking cherry is best pruned in July–August.
| Pruning months | July–August |
|---|---|
| Nesting season (15 March–15 August) | Take care in July–August |
| Flowering | March–April |
| Good for bees, butterflies and birds | Yes, for bees and birds |
| Native to Belgium | No, planted |
Nanking cherry: when to prune it?
After harvesting, in July–August. Avoid winter pruning: fungal diseases then enter the wounds more easily.
Nanking cherry: how to prune it?
- Each year, saw out a few of the oldest, least productive branches at the base.
- Keep young, vigorous shoots: they will carry most of the fruit in the following years.
- Remove dead, diseased and crossing branches and keep the centre of the shrub open.
- A hedge can be lightly trimmed into shape after harvesting.
How much to cut, and how often?
- One pruning period a year: July–August.
- Prune in moderation: never remove more than about a third of the shrub at once.
What does it mean for wildlife?
- Pruning in July–August can fall in the nesting season (15 March–15 August). Check carefully for nesting birds first: disturbing an active nest is against the law.
- Nanking cherry flowers in March–April, when it attracts bees.
- In June–July birds eat the fruit: leave some on the plant or on the ground.
- Prunings can go on a dead hedge or brash pile in a corner of the garden: shelter for hedgehogs, wrens and insects.
Common mistakes
- Clipping without first checking for nesting birds.
- Leaving a stub or sawing flush with the trunk: cut just outside the branch collar.
Caution: Prune in dry weather: stone fruits such as cherries are prone to silver leaf and canker, which enter through pruning wounds.
Nearby: related pruning guides
Plant profile: Nanking cherry · Pruning calendar and basic rules
This guide is compiled from the Bladwijzer plant profile and pruning calendar.