How to prune nanking cherry

Early summer, just after flowering; or late winter while dormant. Cut dead, damaged, or diseased branches back to healthy wood, making cuts 6 mm above a live bud or lateral branch. Reduce long branches by no more than one-third. Thin crossing shoots to open the centre. Prune on dry days with low humidity to reduce disease risk.

Annually. Nanking Cherry benefits from modest annual pruning to stay productive and manageable. Early summer is ideal for Prunus species as it reduces sap bleed and lowers disease entry risk. Remove dead, damaged, or crossing wood and shorten long branches by no more than one-third. Avoid fall pruning, which risks frost damage to new regrowth.

Cut dead, damaged, or diseased branches back to healthy wood, making cuts 6 mm above a live bud or lateral branch. Reduce long branches by no more than one-third. Thin crossing shoots to open the centre. Prune on dry days with low humidity to reduce disease risk.