Cherry Tree (Prunus Avium)

Garden care and tree surgery tips from Pollard Tree Care, Eastbourne, East Sussex

As the weather is getting warmer we are enjoying a boost of colour in our gardens and on the streets. The first and real sign of spring are the blooming pink, delicate flowers of the Cherry trees (Prunus Avium) that enjoying the first longer days of sunlight and warmer temperatures. Cherry trees are very versatile and are useful trees to have especially if you have a smaller garden or plot. They grow to a decent size and regular pruning will maintain the tree to a manageable size. This is especially important when planted near the house and maintaining the light coming in through your windows, even though cherry trees cast minimum shade.

If you have very limited space then there are a few species that are especially good for pots as they are slow growing. This includes the Prunus ‘Kojo-no-mai’ and Prunus ‘Gislea 5’. Therefore no matter the size of your garden or patio you can enjoy the spring burst of colour year after year.

Gardening tips:

If you are thinking of adding a cherry tree to your garden, the best time of year to introduce them when the tree has gone into dormancy and therefore the roots are not growing. This is either in October/ November or late February/March. Like many fruiting trees they need a lot of light so if you have somewhere south facing then perfect, if not they will need a spot that has at least 6 hours of sunlight in the summer. When planting a tree in a pot for smaller gardens, place tree into a pot and after 12 months re-home into a larger pot. Every three years you should re-plant into a larger pot and regular pruning in the winter will ensure that it stays at the size you desire. Always use pots that have drainage holes and place rocks at the bottom of the pots to allow for drainage.