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Original poster

can you coppice/pollard a cherry tree?

11 replies

hareclive · 16/05/2025 07:55

I planted a cherry tree in my garden 20 years ago. the cherries are delicious but I didn't know anything about gardening when I planted it and I let it get too big. as a result, most of the cherries go to the birds or rot on the tree because they are too high up to reach. it also shades alot of the garden.

is it possible to coppice or pollard a cherry tree? Google suggests that it is. but I'm a bit scared to do it and kill it. has anyone done this successfully? or is knowledgeable enough to give me the confidence to do it?

OP posts:
parietal · 16/05/2025 08:36

What shape is the tree? Classic lollipop shape with a bare trunk and a sphere on top? Post a photo

Paaseitjes · 16/05/2025 09:01

Yes, but it might not survive. We've done it to ours because it was leaning over the street at a funny angle. It's grown back nicely at a sensible angle but it was quite high risk. It's also not terribly elegant. I cut it down to about 1.5m during the winter.

Original poster
hareclive · 16/05/2025 10:36

parietal · 16/05/2025 08:36

What shape is the tree? Classic lollipop shape with a bare trunk and a sphere on top? Post a photo

it is a flat lollipop. I took the higher branches off

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Original poster
hareclive · 16/05/2025 11:34

Paaseitjes · 16/05/2025 09:01

Yes, but it might not survive. We've done it to ours because it was leaning over the street at a funny angle. It's grown back nicely at a sensible angle but it was quite high risk. It's also not terribly elegant. I cut it down to about 1.5m during the winter.

I would have pruned and shaped this one very differently

OP posts:
Cognacsoft · 16/05/2025 11:41

We pruned our cherry tree and didn't get any cherries for 4 years.
We now let the birds have the high fruit and we get the low hanging fruit. And the ground is devoid of any signs of fruit within a month.
However we have a huge garden so not a problem re light.

senua · 16/05/2025 11:48

I'm a bit scared to do it and kill it.
The standard advice for a major prune is 'baby steps'. Hard-prune one third of the tree this year, ditto next year then finish the job in the third year. It avoids too much shock to the tree in one go.
It may be especially applicable atm with the very dry weather we are having so far this year.

user3879208717 · 16/05/2025 12:00

Yes, it’ll be fine.
You might not have a good crop for a few years but you’ll be hard pressed to kill it. Most things are best pruned in autumn/winter but plum and cherry are an exception because they ‘bleed’ and so less risk of letting infection in if pruned late summer while it’s hopefully dryer, warmer weather.
I’d get a tree surgeon in if your not confident and want to maximise its chance of recovering well.

Original poster
hareclive · 16/05/2025 12:07

Cognacsoft · 16/05/2025 11:41

We pruned our cherry tree and didn't get any cherries for 4 years.
We now let the birds have the high fruit and we get the low hanging fruit. And the ground is devoid of any signs of fruit within a month.
However we have a huge garden so not a problem re light.

my garden is very small 5m x 10m and I have 2x apple trees, 2x pear trees, 1x plum tree and 1x cherry tree! because I am an idiot who know nothing about gardening. that said they fruit really really well besides the pears 🤷🏼‍♀️

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Original poster
hareclive · 16/05/2025 12:08

user3879208717 · 16/05/2025 12:00

Yes, it’ll be fine.
You might not have a good crop for a few years but you’ll be hard pressed to kill it. Most things are best pruned in autumn/winter but plum and cherry are an exception because they ‘bleed’ and so less risk of letting infection in if pruned late summer while it’s hopefully dryer, warmer weather.
I’d get a tree surgeon in if your not confident and want to maximise its chance of recovering well.

I think I'm going to do it! I have got the summer to think about it I suppose but I will get a tree surgeon in, that's a good idea

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Original poster
hareclive · 16/05/2025 12:10

senua · 16/05/2025 11:48

I'm a bit scared to do it and kill it.
The standard advice for a major prune is 'baby steps'. Hard-prune one third of the tree this year, ditto next year then finish the job in the third year. It avoids too much shock to the tree in one go.
It may be especially applicable atm with the very dry weather we are having so far this year.

I did take quite a lot off it the last few years. it is not a very aesethically pleasing tree as a result. but the cherries are phenomenal

OP posts:
Paaseitjes · 16/05/2025 12:48

user3879208717 · 16/05/2025 12:00

Yes, it’ll be fine.
You might not have a good crop for a few years but you’ll be hard pressed to kill it. Most things are best pruned in autumn/winter but plum and cherry are an exception because they ‘bleed’ and so less risk of letting infection in if pruned late summer while it’s hopefully dryer, warmer weather.
I’d get a tree surgeon in if your not confident and want to maximise its chance of recovering well.

I think this doesn't apply to very major pruning when winter is best, although it risks infection.

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