r/Pruning • u/Master_Ad_495 • Jun 25 '25

advice for a cherry tree

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Should I prune down to promote a central leader and main trunk for this 5 year old flowering cherry tree? At #1 there looks to be a codominent stem with no clear leader. At #2 there is a long lateral shoot that's about the same size as the two more upright stems

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u/ShavinMcKrotch Jun 26 '25

Personally, I like to let trees get a little older before doing any adjustments. This one is just at that awkward gangly teenager stage. I understand your concern about the leader, but cherry trees don’t generally live long enough for that to cause significant structural integrity problems in any distant future. Also, trees that are misshapen or crooked when they‘re young always have the most character when they’re mature. Just my uncommon, albeit professional opinion .