How to train this cherry tree?

General Fruit Growing
1

Hi Folks,
I run into a problem and hope someone with more experiences can help me out. Thanks!
I planted a cherry tree (rainier on newroot rootstock) this year. It’s a ultra dwarf, supposedly growing to 10ft max. However one of the branches is so dominant that it is almost as big as the main trunk. I was thinking to train the tree into a regular open center vase shape. But now I am not sure if it’s gonna work.

It has 3 branches (as shown in the photos below).
Branch #1, top branch, growing well.
Brach #2, second from the top, very vigorous, growing really fast. The diameter is about 1/2 inch. Almost as big as the main trunk. I’ve cut it once to match the height of branch #1.
Brach #3, lowest branch, weak.

I can see 2 options:

  1. Open Center
    I just need to keep pruning back branch #2. Also tie it down, or maybe girdle it. Hope branch #1 can compete. But how to get branch #3 to grow?

  2. Central Leader
    I can straighten branch #2 up as the main trunk. Then grow branches from it.

Which option is better? Any other alternatives? Thanks!

Cherry02
Cherry01
Cherry03

2 Likes
2

Branch 2 has obtained apical dominance. It is now the main leader on your tree. Options you have…
1- cut off branch 2 and allow branch 1 to regain apical dominance.
2- allow branch 2 to remain as the dominant branch and cut off branch 1. The narrow crotch angle between 1 and 2 will cause issues down the road with bark enclosure.

If it were my tree, i would cut off everything above branch 2 and allow the tree to restructure with branch 2 as the main leader

3 Likes
3

Thank you for your advice!
I agree - your option #3 is better. :wink: I will use branch #2 as the main trunk and cut off everything above. Thanks again!