If you have a cherry tree in your yard, you probably love that you have a tree that gives you shade, and fruit, and adds aesthetic value to your property, however, you may have also had to consider cutting your tree down. As unfortunate as it may be, sometimes maintenance gets to be too tricky, or other concerns have led you to question the viability of your tree.
Sometimes concerns like storm damage and branch breakage can be the reason to cut your cherry tree down. If your cherry tree is a lot to upkeep, is not growing, or is unhealthy, you may consider cutting it down.
Cherry trees are a beautiful addition to any yard and can be the most amazing shade tree (read more about why in our article)! You even get fruit out of the deal, as long as you play your cards right. There are, however, myriad reasons why you might need to cut yours down – let’s talk about it below!
Your Cherry Tree Is Too Messy
Fruit-bearing trees, like cherry trees, can get quite messy when the fruit is not picked early enough. If the fruit is left to ripen for too long, it will begin to fall.
Fallen cherry fruit can create quite a mess, especially because of the dark juices of the cherry. Cherry juice can stain any number of things, including a bench or any lawn furniture you might have underneath your tree.
Although cherries are delicious, and their trees are beautiful, these fruits can be quite messy when left unattended. If you don’t have the time to pick the cherries from your tree, or if animals get to them first, the mess could end up being more work than you can manage. At that point, you may begin to consider removing your tree to maintain your peace of mind.
Your Cherry Tree Is Unhealthy
Not only are unhealthy trees less likely to produce healthy, delicious fruit, but the disease that’s making your tree unhealthy can lead to the weakening of the tree and, in turn, other ailments – because of this, you may be considering cutting it down or pruning the damaged branches.
If you decided to prune, we recommend using a product like the Fiskars Bypass Pruning Shears to help you easily trim any areas that are impacted. This will allow you to potentially bypass any decline, by removing weak links, so to speak. It is certainly better to cut away some limbs rather than cutting down your entire tree if you can help it.
In the case that the diseased area is too large, the infection has spread too far, or your tree has been otherwise weakened or damaged, pruning may not be as effective a solution. If this is true, taking down the tree might end up being your best course of action.
Your Cherry Tree Requires Too Much Upkeep
So, we see that cherry trees have the potential to make a mess, interrupt your foundation, and become infected or infested, along with other issues. This makes it more understandable that you may consider the need to remove your tree altogether.
Sometimes, we simply have to make the decision to protect our peace. If that means saying goodbye to your favorite cherry tree so that you can give up the hours you’d otherwise spend worrying and creating band-aid solutions, then so be it.
Each individual issue that a cherry tree might face is enough of a hassle on its own, but a combination of ailments may just have you feeling stuck, tired, and ready to make a change. That’s okay! We each have our limits, and your tree is supposed to be a good thing, not a source of constant strain on your daily life.
Issues May Spiral Into a Big Problem
Sometimes, once one issue occurs, it feels like the problems just won’t stop flowing in. This can be stressful, and you may decide that the upkeep is no longer what you had planned for.
Upkeep can be anything from cleaning up constant messes to dealing with dieback or infections, or even the simple inconvenience of roots that no longer sit nicely below your soil.
Most of the issues in this piece can technically fall into the category of ‘too much upkeep.’
Your Cherry Tree Has Gotten an Insect Infestation
When it comes to cherry trees, there are many types of insects that may just infest your tree. These infestations may also combine with disease or storm damage to create a severely weakened tree that is unable to bounce back.
Say that your tree has a fungus, and then gets infested by insects on top of that. Or maybe some branches were broken during a storm and insects are drawn to that area. The combination of stressors may push your cherry tree past the point of salvation at the hands of fungicide, insecticide, or pruning.
To give you an idea of what to watch for, we will go over a few different examples of infestations that might cause problems for your cherry tree!
Cherry Slugs
Cherry slugs ultimately result in abnormal growth and barren trees that are totally unproductive. How do they do this?
Cherry slugs eat the leaves of a cherry tree down to the very skeleton, which can leave trees totally defoliated in more extreme scenarios. When it comes to weak trees, and those that are younger and less developed, cherry slugs can prove to be fatal.
Early on, you can remove these pests by spraying off your leaves with water. As the situation develops, you may need to rely on pruning or an insecticide.
Japanese Beetles
Our next pest is a particularly destructive one that can also lead to the widespread loss of leaves. Eventually, cherry trees will be unable to produce any fruit in the face of a Japanese beetle infestation.
These insects will feed on the part of the leaves between the veins, which create the appearance of holey, almost lacey-looking leaves. Don’t be fooled by the small holes produced, because this can lead to the demise of your tree.
Japanese beetle removal is most effective when done by hand. This is a painstaking process, so neem oil like Harris Neem Oil Cold Pressed Water Soluble Concentrate can also help to get the job done by halting the reproduction of these pests.
Storm Damage May Lead to Cherry Tree Removal
If your cherry tree is located too close to a building, your home, or any other structure like a garage or shed, there may be a fine line when it comes to severe weather and structural safety.
If your area has severe weather, and you find that your tree is a bit too close to a building, you can get this evaluated by a professional in order to determine how much of a concern this could be.
It might be a bummer to remove an otherwise healthy tree, but the cost of fixing broken windows or siding may end up being substantially more expensive.
Your Cherry Tree is Not Growing Properly
Your cherry tree may not be dying. It may not be infected with fungus or infested with insects. In fact, it may not have surface roots or be causing any kind of real structural concerns. What else is there, you might wonder? If your cherry tree is not properly growing, you may have a conundrum on your hands.
You could put time, money, and worry into your tree for it to remain stagnant. If you are doing everything right, the issue may be something genetic that you simply cannot fix.
Moreover, another reason why your cherry tree may not be growing is because of its placement! Cherry trees need full sun, and if you head on over to our article, you can learn just why cherry trees need so much sun!
The Cost of Saving Your Cherry Tree Outweighs the Benefits
We sometimes forget that keeping up plants has cost involved. If your cherry tree is simply a financial burden for you to maintain in a healthy, sightly way, it is okay to consider removal.
This may feel like giving up, but your plants should bring you joy and purpose. If your tree has become the thing that is stressing you out, and you cannot spend any more money on fertilizer, buying a new watering system, or committing to another round of pruning, removal of your cherry tree may be the most cost-effective solution in the long run.
The cost may also be one of time or energy. It does not always necessarily have to be a financial cost that is burdening you. To take care of your space, yourself, and your other plants, eliminating one issue to focus on the bigger picture is a very valid decision.
Your Cherry Tree Has Surface Roots
The root system of a cherry tree lies much closer to the surface of the soil than the roots of many other trees. This means that the roots of a cherry tree can be rather invasive, at times.
Not only are surface roots generally a pain in the behind to deal with, but they can also lead to some real issues for your cherry tree.
Causes of Surface Roots
Perhaps, for example, your tree is not getting the nutrients that it needs. This could be a quick fix, or it could be due to some other problem like disease or an infestation that is prohibiting your cherry tree from receiving the nourishment that it needs most.
Low-nitrogen fertilizer like Espoma Garden Food Fertilizer is great for your cherry tree, however, if the fertilizer doesn’t work, the surface roots are keeping the nutrients from your tree.
There is another possibility, though, that your tree is simply not developing how it should, and is trying to overcorrect by having roots that are exposed.
Removing Surface Roots
If surface roots are caught at an early stage, they might be able to be removed. Otherwise, removal could end up causing more harm than good to your tree.
As sad as it may be, if surface roots are causing problems when it comes to your yard, or are allowing harm to come to your cherry tree, it may be time to remove the tree itself.
Sometimes the best solution is removal, because the cost of trying to save your tree may not be worth it. This is a difficult decision to make, especially if you have an otherwise healthy tree. It might be necessary, however, in order to keep your space most well-maintained, and safe.
We always recommend reaching out to a professional to ensure that removal is done correctly!
Your Cherry Tree Has A Disease
Another reason why you may need to cut down your cherry tree is that it has a disease.
There are many common cherry tree diseases, and we’re going to go over those below!
Silver Leaf Fungal Infection
Silver Leaf Fungal Infection attacks both the wood and the leaves of cherry trees.
Any scratches, wounds, or areas where your tree was recently pruned are subject to allowing this fungus to enter your tree, and the results can be detrimental.
First, you may notice a silvery sheen on your tree. This will be followed by the branches beginning to die, and then bracket-shaped fungi can be found. If you cut open the dead branches, you may also see that the interior has appeared to blacken in response to this infection.
Late May to early July is going to be the best time to prune when your cherry tree is at its strongest. This will help to prevent silver leaf fungi to be able to harm your tree. The winter is another story, as trees are going dormant and will be less able to fend off the infection.
Saving a Tree with Fungal Infection
You may be able to save an affected tree by cutting away all infected areas. While this may leave your tree pretty bare, it could save it.
However, if things have progressed too far, or if you need to prune when your tree is at its weakest, the infection could just keep growing. It may even re-enter your tree in its weakened state.
If you cannot get silver leaf under control, you may consider removing your cherry tree before it is completely overtaken, but make sure to call a professional to assist in the best course of action.
Black Knot Fungal Infection
This fungal infection is most well-known for its impact on cherry and plum trees. Uneven black galls will begin to grow on the branches of infected trees, as the fungus begins to take hold.
Now, it may take some time for this fungus to fully situate itself on your tree, but when it does it effectively strangles your tree. The fungus will cut off new growth and could prove to be fatal when left unchecked.
Salvaging the Tree
You’ll want to remove all infected areas, during the dormant season if possible, and then burn the remains so that the fungus cannot spread to any other plants in your area.
Organic fungicides can help you avoid this fungal infection, but there are also cherry trees that are now resistant to the issue. So, when picking your cherry tree, you may want to ask about its resistance to certain diseases and infections.
If your tree does not happen to be resistant, try a product like the Monterey Concentrate Complete Disease Control Fungicide.
Cherry Leaf Spot Fungal Disease
According to the University of Minnesota Extension, cherry leaf spot starts out as purple spots on the upper surface of older leaves in early summer, and the leaves start to die and fall off the tree about one month after the infection started.
All varieties of tart cherry have a high likelihood of being affected by this disease.
Cherry Leaf Spot Functions
Cherry leaf spot fungi, known as Blumeriella jaapii, will overwinter in infected leaves that have died and fallen to the ground. Even though these leaves are no longer alive, the fungi survive and wait until the winter is over to begin growing again in early spring.
These fungi then produce spores that are released into the air and can land on new, susceptible leaves. Essentially, cherry leaf spores have the potential to be a continuous issue that just cycles time and time again.
The fungi spread most quickly in the late spring and early summer months when rain tends to happen most frequently. By July and August, all leaves will be mature for the year and have the chance to become infected. The tree could end up losing all of its leaves, and the cycle could begin again.
Solving the Problem
Bonide Captain Jack’s Liquid Copper Fungicide is a good choice, as the active copper ingredient is known to help protect against leaf spots.
Fungicides can be used to protect the leaves, but if the problem continues to persist year after year, it may be time to go ahead and remove the cherry tree, thus ending this vicious cycle of disease and leaf death.
Powdery Mildew Disease
According to Clemson University, powdery mildew is the name that categorizes a group of diseases caused by multiple closely-related fungi.
The common symptom of these fungi is a grayish-white, powdery mat made visible on the surface of leaves, stems, and flower petals. This disease is not considered fatal, but plant damage can occur when the infection is severe.
While this may not be something that will outright destroy your cherry tree, it can be a big nuisance. Paired with an issue like surface roots, storm damage, or something else that weakens your tree, you may just witness this be the final cause of your cherry tree’s decline.
What to Do About Powdery Mildew
This disease may get bad enough that pruning simply won’t do the trick anymore. In this case, it may be time to bite the bullet and say goodbye to your cherry tree, even if it’s disappointing.
When it comes to disease or infection in your tree, know that you can always reach out to your local arborist to ensure that you take the proper, best next steps.
When To Cut Down Your Cherry Tree
Whether your tree is simply causing too much work, or if it is past the point of no return, saying goodbye might be difficult.
Everyone has varying levels of attachment to their plants, but the decision to remove something as large as a cherry tree tends to take some thought and true consideration.
As you think about the timing of cutting down your tree, you’ll need to evaluate whether your tree is affected by your property, your safety, and your other plant life. If the tree has become a hazard, could infect other plants, or is somehow impacting your daily life, removal may need to be done sooner than later.
However, if you have the luxury of waiting it out, winter and early spring are the best possible times to cut down your cherry tree you’ll have less of a mess to clean up afterward. Ultimately, this is the safest and easiest period of time to remove a tree during the year.
That’s A Wrap!
Even if you adore your cherry tree, you might have to one day say goodbye.
As a reminder, there are so many reasons that you might end up needing to remove your cherry tree:
● Your cherry tree is too messy
● Your cherry tree is diseased
● Your cherry tree has surface roots
● Your cherry tree requires too much upkeep
● Your cherry tree has gotten an insect infestation
● Storm damage may lead to cherry tree removal
● Your cherry tree is not growing properly
● The cost of saving your cherry tree outweighs the benefits
As always with trees, your course of action is going to depend on your situation. However, a good rule of thumb is to cut your tree down at the end of winter or early spring. Even if you need to prune infected portions, this is the best time of year to cut.
The dormant season is going to give you the best chance of pruning or cutting your tree down safely and quickly.
Don’t be afraid to call a professional arborist if you have safety concerns, or need to confirm that tree removal is your best plan of action.
Thank you for trusting us to be a part of your tree journey!
References
Allen, J. C., & Barnes, D. F. (1985). The causes of deforestation in developing countries. Annals of the association of American Geographers, 75(2), 163-184.
Lauri, P. E., & Claverie, J. (2008). Sweet cherry tree architecture, physiology and management: Towards an integrated view. ISHS Acta Horticulturae, 795, 605-614.
Sitarek, M., & Sas-Paszt, L. (2014). Sweet Cherry Root System Structure Depends On The Rootstock/Cultivar Combination. ISHS Acta Horticulturae, 1020, 233-237.
