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"Multi-stemming" a flowering cherry

LoxleyLoxley Posts: 5,698

Has anyone "multi-stemmed" a cherry? I prefer multi stemmed trees but they're a bit pricy. From what I can gather, you can buy a small single stem tree, cut it down, then train three or four of the resulting new stems and prune over the next few years to maintain a vase shape. 

Anyone tried this? 

Last edited: 17 April 2017 08:21:33

"What is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbour". 

Posts

  • nutcutletnutcutlet Posts: 27,445

    I should think that would work as long as you didn't cut below any graft



    In the sticks near Peterborough
  • LoxleyLoxley Posts: 5,698

    Thanks yes you don't want to be doing that! There's a dearth of online info about the technique but there's a few videos on YouTube about doing something similar with orchard cherries. 

    I'm surprised it's so hard to find multi-stemmed cherries for sale, they look so good like that. Especially Prunus serrula. 

    "What is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbour". 
  • LoxleyLoxley Posts: 5,698

    I wonder if it would be possible to do it with the tree in a pot then plant in the final position after a couple of years growing on? 

    "What is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbour". 
  • nutcutletnutcutlet Posts: 27,445

    Maybe the length of time to get to selling stage makes it commercially non-viable



    In the sticks near Peterborough
  • LoxleyLoxley Posts: 5,698

    I ended up finding a multistem Amelanchier at the nursery today and couldn't resist (easter sale special!). So I don't have to worry about multistemming from scratch. It'll need some work to make it balanced and crown lifting in due course. Ordered the rhs pruning guide to help me with this :)

    "What is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbour". 
  • nutcutletnutcutlet Posts: 27,445

    good idea. the flowering cherries are dramatic for about 5 minutes then not a lot to show. Plus subject to short life



    In the sticks near Peterborough
  • LoxleyLoxley Posts: 5,698

    It does look rather nice :) It's only about 5ft and quite whippy but already has a bit of a vase/V shape, which is what I want. 

    "What is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbour". 
  • nutcutletnutcutlet Posts: 27,445

    image



    In the sticks near Peterborough
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