Cheer up a cherry?

[Melinda]

My morello cherry tree is having a tough time of it atm. It's maybe 30 years old.

As I write this my garden is carpeted with prematurely fallen cherries. Sniff!
And it all seemed so promising last month, the blossom was glorious.

Destructive winds have raced through my garden over the past few days.
We also have parakeets, robins, blue tits, wood pigeons and their mates.
I have also had to prune a few roots very recently (they had caused a major trip hazard by lifting a big patch of ancient paving).

Is there a concoction I can dig or water into the soil to cheer it up?

[DavidT]

I think what has caused the problem is the root pruning. This should have been done in the dormant season. Fork in some fish, Blood and Bonemeal, about 4 ounces to the square yard. Fork it into the top couple of inches of soil, then give a good watering.

[Melinda]

Thanks David

Both myself and the morello appreciate it!

I read up about cherry roots before I started pruning too.
I didnt think I'd be doing too much damage as I'd left the water searching roots alone.

Actually, I'm looking to prune and re-shape the canopy in August (again I've read this is the correct time for it?) as it is shading out a full third of my neighbours small garden.


(A pic from happier times)


My neighbour has hacked away at it wildly previously, which explains the peculiar shape and hence my intention to get in there first this time and do it properly.

[DavidT]

Melinda, as it`s and oldish tree don`t prune it all in one go. The first year, just take out the dead, straggly and crossing branches.