Japanese Weeping Cherry Tree - A Gardeners Forum [Archive]

Hey Ya'll,
Need some advice on pruning these buggers.
We (Janet and I) just moved into a new (older) home and the prior owner planted three of these last summer all are within 10 feet of each other.
Anyway they are in direct light all day, and they don't really look to good. The weeping parts are boney and no leaves, and we are unsure what to do. I searched the web, but all that came up was how to purchase them. Help Please.
OBTW
HAPPY 4th of July

Japanese weeping cherry also known as Higan weeping cherry.

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WEEPING JAPANESE CHERRY
(Prunus subhirtella var. pendula)

Habit; tree 20 to 40 feet high, with a round?flattened, gracefully, weeping crown. Usually grafted about 6 feet on the understock. Flowers; single, pink. This variety is very variable and select cultivars differ in form and color. (ie: "Pendula Rosea", single deep pink flowers; "Pendula Plena Rosea", double, pink flowers; "Pendula Alba", single, white flowers; "Rosey Cloud", double, bright pink flowers; "Snowfozam", single, white flowers etc.)

http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ST519

http://hcs.osu.edu/pocketgardener/source/description/pr_tella.html

Pruning:Some info about pruning cherry tree in general at https://www.evergreengardenworks.com/prunus.htm

http://www.treehelp.com/trees/cherry/types-subhirtella.asp

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Care
Prune to a single leader when the tree is young. Allow weeping branches to reach the ground and instead of growing grass beneath the tree, use mulch.

Where can I buy Japanese weeping cheery (preferably "shidarezakura"

They can be difficult.

One reason is that cherry get blossom blight sometimes, which kills twigs or portons of twigs.

Basically, I prune the limbs away from under and inside, and let the tree build up on itself, trying to leave as much of the top, and removing only from the interior.

Certainly, dead stuff comes out.

I always raise the canopy a bit off the ground, like 3' for a small tree like a 10 footer, or 5' up for a 20 foot tall tree.

That allows air circulation which helps to reduce the fungal problems a bit.