Q. I have a
beautiful weeping cherry tree that has two branches growing straight
up. I thought they would bend over and weep like the rest of the
branches, but that does not appear to be the case. Is this normal?
Should I cut those branches off, or will they eventually start to
grow like the rest of the tree?
A.
It is
common for plants with weeping habits to send up a straight branch
now and then. Weeping trees are usually grafted, and the straight
growth is coming from the rootstock rather than the scion, or the
desirable weeping portion.
Weeping Cherries
It is important
to remove them promptly. If you left them on the tree, the straight
growth would overcome the weeping growth over time because it is
usually faster growing. Also, removing straight growth promptly
means cutting off a smaller branch, while allowing it to grow for
any length of time means leaving a large wound for the tree to heal.
Simply remove the
straight growth at its point of origin. Make as clean a cut as you
can, and avoid using pruning paint. Trees are able to heal clean
pruning cuts on their own. Pruning paint can actually interfere with
the healing process.
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