I planted a little “stella” cherry tree from dwarf root stock. I got it from a workshop by http://www.growportland.org/, a new little nonprofit that looks like it is going to take root quite well here in Portland.
In the workshop we learned quite a bit about open center vs. central leader tree forms. There seems to be some debate about where cherries fit into this. The workshop encouraged an open center form for cherries (unlike apples and pears, which take a central leader form), and so I pruned the tree to encourage growth on three limbs that angle out from the central trunk. I even put little notched wooden shims bracing each limb out from the center, in order to encourage outward, rather than upward growth. I’m looking forward to watching this cherry tree grow, and using it as a learning tool to become a better pruner. It definitely takes practice.
Here’s a good article about fruit tree pruning and training from Oregon State University Extension Service.
