Cherry tree

[Pegs11]

Someone has come along and sawn two branches off my cherry tree, which were overhanging the pathway behind my house A LITTLE BIT but not significantly. They’ve just left the branches on the path. I’m fuming, because if the branches were bothering them, they could have just knocked on my door… but also because you’re not supposed to cut back cherry trees in summer as it leaves them susceptible to disease. I’m now worrying about this. Is there anything I can do to prevent my tree from becoming diseased? I’ve seen some people put wax on the end of branches that have been cut, to protect them, but not sure if that would be a good idea in this scenario? Am I overreacting?

Smear vaseline liberally over the cut areas, particularly around the edge.

Are the leaves in this picture coming off the tree which has been cut?

… I think I know what’s coming … you’re going to tell me it’s not a cherry tree… 😅

Oops… I got it confused with the tree next to it, which IS a cherry tree, but which thankfully didn’t get chopped.

If the one that got assaulted isn’t a cherry, maybe I don’t need to worry so much?

The one that got chopped is a currant, I think redcurrant (you can see one of the dangling strings of currants), and, no, you don’t need to worry. They’ve done you the decency of cutting just above a decent sized branch that will take over. Check that the other cut is as well placed, cut it back a bit further if not, and do a slightly more diagonal cut (the “uphill” on the side where the branch you want to take over is.

Entirely besides the point now but future reference Gardeners’ World last night said prune cherries in the summer as there’s less disease around.

Definitely agree. All stone fruit- so plum and peach family too - are best pruned in the summer, in as dry weather as possible.

Thanks all. It’s definitely a redcurrent tree, according to my plant ID app. What’s interesting is that I read that redcurrants usually don’t grow more than about 1.2-1.5 metres tall. But my one is nearly 3 metres! It’s a mutant! 😂

what were the flowers like? If it’s nearly 3m try Ribes aureum or Ribes sanguineum. No doubt your app will be able to tell you.

Oooh I think it’s a ribes sanguineum! The flowers are a deep pink colour (it flowered quite early in spring).

I only moved into this property in the summer last year - I’m still getting to the garden and its various shrubs!

Thank you for your help ☺️