How to prune flowering cherry 'kanzan'

Early summer, shortly after flowering finishes (May to June). Remove dead, diseased, and rubbing branches back to a healthy junction. Cut out any water shoots (epicormic growth) from the trunk as they appear. If a branch must be removed to clear a structure or path, make a clean cut with a sharp saw at the branch collar, and treat larger wounds with a wound sealant if silver leaf is prevalent locally.

As needed; light corrective pruning every 2-3 years after flowering. Kanzan is one of the most popular ornamental cherries, grown primarily for its dramatic double pink spring blossom. It requires minimal pruning — mainly removing dead, damaged, or crossing branches. Prune in early summer after flowering to minimise silver leaf risk. Avoid heavy pruning, which can disfigure the vase-shaped crown and stimulate rank water shoots.

Remove dead, diseased, and rubbing branches back to a healthy junction. Cut out any water shoots (epicormic growth) from the trunk as they appear. If a branch must be removed to clear a structure or path, make a clean cut with a sharp saw at the branch collar, and treat larger wounds with a wound sealant if silver leaf is prevalent locally.