Plant Care: Prune regularly to promote health, provide air circulation, maintain a desirable shape, and to remove dead or damaged branches. Pruning is best done in late winter to early spring for most trees. With spring blooming trees, prune after the blooms are spent.

How do you prune a chokecherry tree?

Prune black chokeberry stems and branches to encourage bushiness, cutting the shrub to 20 inches above the ground after it flowers. Flowering usually occurs in May or June. Prune each stem or branch just above a leaf node to avoid die-back in the plant. A leaf node looks like a small lump or bud.

When should you prune a chokecherry tree?

Late winter is ideal on the Prairies, although they can be pruned anytime provided no more than 10% of the canopy is removed. In warmer, more humid climates, it is best to prune this genus after flowering to prevent possible infection of the fungus that causes silverleaf. Train young trees as a central leader standard.