I wanted to share a couple photos of a cherry I pruned last week. I started a multi-year process to create more healthy fruiting branches lower in the canopy where fruit can be reached. This first pruning in many years started by removing some of the highest more vertically-oriented branches in the upper canopy to create more light and airflow lower in the canopy. Thick areas were also thinned so the branches can dry out sooner after rains, which will help reduce fungal infections. Many people say a sign of good pruning is that it’s not entirely obvious that pruning has occurred. If I may so myself, I think this is a good example. There’s an obvious difference between the before and after, but if one just saw the post pruning photo, it’s not obvious it’s been pruned.
Lots of thick areas in the canopy, and several vertical shoots going nowhere but up.
After thinning some of the thickest areas and reducing the height appropriately.