Properly pruned, the cherry laurel can ensure dense and lush growth. But when and how do you cut the cherry laurel correctly?
the cherry laurel (Prunus laurocerasus, synonym: Laurocerasus officinalis) is one of the most popular ornamental plants in gardens and parks in Germany. Although the luxuriantly growing shrub bears this name, it actually bears no relation 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 sprawling and nice and dense. What you should consider when pruning your cherry laurel, we have summarized for you below.
With their enormous growth, cherry laurels quickly create an opaque barrier that protects you from prying eyes. However, once the desired dimensions have been reached, at least one pruning is required every year in order to reduce the annual To keep growth of up to 40 centimeters in check and to grow densely and branched along the green boundary of the property help
"Contents"
- When is the best time to prune cherry laurel?
-
Cutting cherry laurel: instructions in three steps
- What should generally be considered when pruning a cherry laurel?
- The maintenance cut at the end of February
- The topiary at the end of June
- Prune cherry laurel for a compact and dense growth
- Properly cut cherry laurel with brown leaves
When is the best time to prune cherry laurel?
Cherry laurels are very pruning-tolerant shrubs that should be cut back once or twice a year depending on their growth. As a rule, it is sufficient to trim the cherry laurel once directly after flowering. This stimulates new growth and the bush stays in shape. For varieties that quickly overgrow, it is advisable to cut 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 cuts in Germany because of the bird nesting season. The second time is then cut after flowering at the end of June. At this point, the first growth of the year is complete and nesting birds have usually already fledged. Nevertheless, you should proceed cautiously.
Also, never cut when it is frosty and it is best to choose a slightly cloudy day without rain. This minimizes the risk of sunburn and fungal infections. If you find it difficult to decide between one or two prunings a year, the following rule applies: Better to cut carefully twice than more radically once. If it is really necessary, you can cut again in the fall. Since the cherry laurel lays its buds for the next year directly after flowering, there may be a failure of flowering next year. However, this can also be desired, because without flowers the small, red, Cherry laurel poisonous to humans and animals- Not fruit.
Cutting cherry laurel: instructions in three steps
For orderly growth, the one-off pruning a year makes sense. If you still want to cut the cherry laurel (or its real name "laurel cherry") a second time a year, you should pay attention to a few things. Therefore, during the course of the year, proceed as follows:
What should generally be considered 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 in humans, these injuries are open wounds and therefore ideal entry points for pathogens of all kinds. In addition, the leaves turn an unsightly brown color at the cutting points.
- Cherry laurels are poisonous. Therefore, wear gloves when pruning to avoid skin irritation.
- The shoots to be shortened are cut off just above the base of the leaves.
- Diseased parts of the plant should be removed immediately upon discovery. If your cherry laurel is more affected by pests or is marked by disease, you can cut the plant down to the ground.
- If you want to prevent the formation of poisonous berries without endangering the next year's flowering, you can carefully clean the inflorescences after flowering.
- The clippings then end up in the compost, unless diseased parts of the plant have been removed. These are then better disposed of in the household waste to prevent infecting other plants.
The maintenance cut at the end of February
Prune the cherry laurel for the first time in spring before the leaves sprout (February). Here you are welcome to reach for the pruning shears. Just do the following:
- Remove diseased and (e.g. due to frost damage) injured shoots down to the healthy wood.
- Remove shoots that grow inwards and are too long.
- The rejuvenation cut: With very dense growth, it is advisable to remove a few branches directly on the trunk. This allows more light to enter the hedge. Cuts back into the old wood are coped with without any problems and even promote new growth.
The shape cut end of June
After flowering, you can give your cherry laurel the desired shape with a light pruning. This is particularly recommended for fast-growing varieties. In the case of solitary plants cut into shape, regular maintenance pruning is also necessary. They like to lose their carefully trimmed figure after the first year's growth. Also, before pruning, check thoroughly to see if there are still nesting birds in the plant. You can then carefully trim shoots that have grown too long to the right length.
Hedge trimming tips: Before cutting your cherry laurel hedge, it is best to stretch cords that will serve as a guide for a straight cut. When trimming your hedge, start at 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.
Prune cherry laurel for a compact and dense growth
Since the cherry laurel in the gardens in this country especially as a natural privacy screen to the neighbors or is appreciated towards the street, it is important that the plant grows dense and compact. In order to achieve this, you should definitely carry out a vigorous cut in early spring, during which you can also cut stronger shoots generously. Cherry laurel grows very quickly and tolerates severe pruning well. In the first few years after planting, young plants should be shortened by around half of their new shoots.
To ensure that your cherry laurel retains its opaque growth for years to come, regular pruning should be a must [Photo: nnattalli/ Shutterstock.com]
Properly cut cherry laurel with brown leaves
Although the leaves of the cherry laurel do not fall off in winter, as is the case with deciduous trees, brown and dried-up leaves can also be seen on the bush. Most often, these are diseased parts of the plant or those that have been damaged by frost or pruning. Check the plant regularly and remove these spots generously. However, yellow and brown leaves can also have other causes - such as disease, incorrect Cherry laurel care or Fertilization of the cherry laurel - to have.
tip: To avoid brown leaves and frost damage, you should provide your cherry laurel with optimal nutrients. Our Plantura Organic universal fertilizer is ideal for this.
More about the yellow and brown leaves on cherry laurel and how to combat them can be found here.
