Hi everyone, so I’ve got about 6 weeks of growth on one of my Benton bareroot cherries that I’ve headed at about 18". My issue is that the lowest buds (just above the graft) are growing instead of the buds near the top of the trunk. Do I just let them continue to grow this year and then prune them during dormancy this winter?
I would nip them off right away, assuming that you have growth above the graft. Let the Lapins get the energy from the roots.
2 Likes
Yeah, the lowest 4 buds (just above the graft) are the ones growing. The rest up to the top are showing no growth at all…think it’s too late to nip them off? They have about 4" of growth already…I can try to get a picture later…
I misread your original post! I was thinking your lowest buds were below the graft, which is a different story all together. My apologies.
Yes, a picture would help. Also, advice from someone who grows cherries - not me!
Just attached a picture…
Do not remove them, that’s your only growth. The upper part might be dead. Instead, remove that part above the growth and let that be your new trunk.
4 Likes
Alright, so chop down the trunk even more and just have an extremely low tree?
One of those lower buds that is growing can form the new trunk.
Yup I had a rabbit demolish a new apple tree and am regrowing the main trunk from a branch about this low.
I’d leave it be for now and see how it grows. You can always chop it off later.
Yeah maybe I’ll see if it’ll start growing out of those buds, maybe leave it till next spring…
Those are at least showing some vigor so I think I would prune down to that lowest growing bud too to let it grow up straight. I do this with my pawpaws quite a bit as I tend to get some tip die back on some varieties in my 5b winters. The highest bud with the most vigor I let be the new leader.
1 Like
No, chop down and grow new trunk and even taller tree.