Cutting cherry laurel: when & how is it pruned?

When cut correctly, the cherry laurel can ensure a dense and lush growth. But when and how do you cut the cherry laurel correctly?

Of the Cherry laurel (Prunus laurocerasus, Syn .: Laurocerasus officinalis) is one of the most popular ornamental plants in gardens and parks in Germany. Although the lush shrub bears this name, it actually has no relationship to the real laurel. Many garden owners appreciate the plant as a privacy screen and therefore attach great importance to the fact that the shrub does not grow too overgrown and nice and dense. We have summarized below for you what you should consider when cutting your cherry laurel.

Cherry laurels with their enormous growth quickly create an opaque barrier that protects you from prying eyes. However, once the desired dimensions have been reached, at least one decent cut back per year is compulsory to make up for the annual cutback To keep growth of up to 40 centimeters under control and the green property boundary to a dense and branched growth help.

When is the best time to cut cherry laurel?

Cherry laurels are very easy to prune and should be cut back once or twice a year, depending on how vigorous they are. As a rule, it is sufficient to trim the cherry laurel once immediately after flowering. This stimulates new growth and the bush stays in shape. For varieties that quickly get out of hand, it is advisable to prune back twice a year. It is best to prune for the first time in spring towards the end of February. This time is suitable for a stronger pruning, because between the beginning of March and October there is a ban on radical pruning in Germany due to the bird nesting season. The second time is cut after flowering at the end of June. At this point, the first annual shoot is complete and nesting birds have usually already flown out. Even so, you should proceed cautiously.

In addition, never cut when it is frosty and it is best to choose a slightly cloudy day without rain. This will minimize the risk of sunburn and fungal infections. If it is difficult for you to decide between one or two prunings per year, the following rule applies: Better to cut carefully twice than once more radically. If it is really necessary, you can cut again in autumn. Since the cherry laurel sets its buds for the next year directly after flowering, it can lead to a failure in the next year. However, this can also be desirable, because without flowers the small, red, Cherry laurel, which is poisonous for humans and animals-Do not fruit.

Cutting cherry laurel: instructions in three steps

The one-time cutback per year proves to be useful for orderly growth. If you still want to cut the cherry laurel (or, in its real name, “laurel cherry”) a second time a year, you should keep a few things in mind. Therefore, proceed as follows over the course of the year:

What should you watch out for when pruning a cherry laurel?

• Even if it takes a little longer, you should prefer a manual hedge trimmer to the motorized version. You can be more careful when cutting by hand. This will avoid damaging the large leaves. Just like us humans, these injuries are open wounds and therefore ideal entry points for pathogens of all kinds. In addition, the leaves turn unsightly brown at the interfaces.
• Cherry laurels are poisonous. Therefore, wear gloves when pruning to avoid skin irritation.
• The shoots to be shortened are cut off just above the leaf base.
• Diseased parts of the plant should be removed immediately after discovery. If your cherry laurel is more strongly attacked by pests or marked by disease, you can cut the plant close to the ground.
• If you want to prevent the formation of poisonous berries without endangering flowering in the next year, you can carefully clean the inflorescences after flowering.
• The clippings then end up on the compost, unless diseased parts of the plant have been removed. These are then better disposed of with household waste to prevent other plants from infecting.

The maintenance cut at the end of February

Cut the cherry laurel for the first time in the spring before the leaves shoot (February). Here you are welcome to grab your secateurs courageously. Simply proceed as follows:

• Remove sick and (for example from frost damage) injured shoots right into the healthy wood.
• Remove shoots that are growing inward and that are too long.
• The rejuvenation cut: In the case of very dense growth, it is advisable to remove a few branches directly from the trunk. This way, more light comes into the inside of the hedge. Backcuts in the old wood can be coped with without any problems and even encourage new growth.

The topiary end of June

After flowering, you can bring your cherry laurel back into the desired shape with a light cut. This is particularly recommended for vigorous varieties. Regular maintenance pruning is also necessary for solitary plants that have been cut into shape. These tend to lose their carefully trimmed figure after the first annual shoot. Also, before cutting, check carefully whether there are still any nesting birds in the plant. After that, you can carefully adjust shoots that have grown too long to the correct length.

Tips for cutting hedge: Before cutting your cherry laurel hedge, it is best to stretch cords that will serve as a guide for a straight cut. Start cutting your hedge on the sides and make sure that the shape of the hedge tapers slightly towards the top. This allows more light to reach the lower leaves and reduces the risk of snow breakage in winter.

Cut cherry laurel for a compact and dense growth

Since the cherry laurel in the gardens in this country is particularly useful as a natural privacy screen from neighbors or is valued towards the street, the main thing is that the plant grows dense and compact. To achieve this, you should definitely make a strong cut in early spring, where you can also cut thicker shoots generously. Cherry laurel grows very quickly and can withstand heavy pruning. In the first few years after planting, young plants should be shortened by about half of their new shoots.

More about the yellow and brown leaves on cherry laurel and how these can be combated can be found here.