Forming the crowns of free lane cherry trees.
If the orchard is to be run in a lane form, then the distances between the rows should be 4,5 m, and in the row 5-6 m. Already at the time of planting, the maiden trees should be positioned in this way, so that the strongest side shoots are on the line of the row. The principles of pruning in the first year are the same as for the formation of circular crowns.
In the spring of the second year, the side shoots must be bent to an almost horizontal position and directed into the lines of the row, and then tied to pins stuck under the trees (Lynx.).
Lynx. Bending shoots in the first year of crown formation of a row of cherries.
In the cherry orchard, do not install permanent scaffolding from posts and wires because the shoots that rub against the wire injure themselves and are easily infected by bacterial cancer. After bending and tying the shoots in the spring, you have to check all bindings at the beginning of June to make sure that the thicker shoots do not cut into the string. Cherry shoots grow thick very quickly and easily cut into the knotted loops. The loops tied in spring should be moved a few centimeters on the shoot during this time, which prevents the string from getting cut in. Loops that are too small should be loosened.
In the third and fourth years, we bend the shoots of the upper floors. We continue to avoid cutting. No bent shoots need to be shortened. We only shorten the guide when it has grown 80 cm above the last tier of shoots (Lynx.).
Lynx. The last year of formation of the crown of the lane cherry.
These shoots must be removed, which cannot be bent and directed to the row. After the trees grow up to height 2,5 m the guide should be bent to a horizontal position.
Cutting fruiting trees
The necessity to cut sweet cherries may result from excessive crown compaction or their excessive height and span. Any pruning of fruiting trees should be done in the summer after the fruit harvest, in July and August. Circular crowns can be x-rayed during this time, removing excess branches and regulating their size by shortening the tops of the branches. Due to the summer cutting, the lane crowns can be kept in a constant thickness by cutting out all the stronger shoots growing towards the inter-row in the summer.. Such shoots can also be removed by performing the treatment 2-3 times from June to August. All wounds of cut branches should be lubricated immediately with the same agents as in cherry orchards.
