The shaping of cherry trees mainly depends on the rootstock, species and natural conditions. At present, tree shapes are widely used in production and show high yields. Chinese cherries and sour cherries are often in the natural cluster shape; sweet cherries are tall and light-loving, and often adopt the natural open-shaped shape and the main trunk sparse layer shape.

(1) Natural cluster shape (Figure 89) Chinese cherries and sour cherries are weak in tree vigor, so they mostly adopt natural cluster shape. The characteristic of this tree shape is that it has no main trunk and central leader trunk, and has 5 to 6 main branches growing from the ground, extending and growing evenly around. Each main branch has 3 to 4 side branches to make full use of space and Photothermal resources. On the main and side branches, different types of fruiting branch groups are cultivated according to the size of the space. After forming, the crown will be semicircular. The advantages of this tree shape are that the angle of the main branches is relatively open, the crown is small, the tree is formed quickly, it has good ventilation and light transmission, it enters the fruiting period earlier, and it is more convenient to manage; it is easy to use root tillers for renewal after aging. The disadvantage is that the inside of the crown is easy to close, and varieties with obvious layers are not suitable for this kind of tree shape.

Figure 89 The natural cluster shape of cherry trees

(2) Natural open-heart shape (Figure 90) This tree shape is often used for sweet cherries. Because sweet cherry saplings have vigorous growth and strong uprightness, the central stem should be temporarily retained within 4 to 5 years after planting. When there is a main branch on the central trunk, after the 4th or 5th year, 2 to 3 layers of main branches and lower side branches are selected, and then the central trunk is removed, which is the natural open shape.

Figure 90 Cherry tree is naturally open-shaped

This kind of tree shape has a trunk height of 20 to 40 centimeters. After the trunk is set, 3 to 5 branches will be selected to sprout from the trunk. Branches with suitable direction, position and angle will be used as main branches. On each main branch, 3 to 4 side branches will be selected. The main and side branches should be distributed staggered to avoid crossing and overlapping. The first side branch on each main branch should be at least 50 cm away from the main trunk. Then, select the second main branch about 30 cm opposite the first side branch. From now on, select 1 to 2 branches at intervals of 50 to 60 cm. Side branches: On the branch axes of the main and side branches, according to the size of the space, appropriately select some oblique branches, cut them short to promote branch growth, and gradually cultivate them into large, medium and small fruiting branch groups of different types.

The main branch angle of this kind of tree is about 30 degrees, the opening angle of the side branches at the base is 50 to 60 degrees, and the opening angle of the side branches above the second layer is about 50 degrees. On the first and second layers of lateral branches, auxiliary lateral branches can be left, and on the backbone branches at all levels, the fruiting branch group can be cultivated.

The opening angle of the main branches of this kind of tree should not be too large to avoid weakening the tree due to branches extending outward and drooping year by year, but it should not be too small to avoid excessive growth due to upright growth of branches. If it is prosperous, the crown will not open, the fruiting area will be small, and there will be fewer fruit branches, which will affect the yield and quality.

This kind of tree shape can be basically formed after 5 to 6 years of cultivation. After entering the fruiting period, the crown will mostly be semicircular.

This kind of tree shape is easy to reshape, requires little pruning, has an open crown, has obvious layers, is easy to manage, has good ventilation and light transmission, has early fruiting, high yield, and good fruit quality. It is a commonly used tree at present. It can be used in both flat land and hilly land under general conditions.

During the shaping process, attention should be paid to balancing the growth balance between the backbone branches at all levels, and opening the angle of the main branches on the first layer to prevent the crown from being closed or partial.

(3) The backbone sparsely layered shape (Figure 91) has an obvious main trunk and central leading trunk, and the main branches are arranged in layers on the main trunk and central leading trunk. The trunk height is about 50 cm. The whole tree has 6 to 8 main branches, distributed in 3 to 4 layers. There are three main branches on the first floor, with an opening angle of about 60 degrees; there are two main branches on the second floor, with an opening angle of about 45 degrees; one main branch is left on each of the third and fourth floors. The distance between the main branches of the first and second layers should be 70 to 80 centimeters; the distance between the second and third layers should be maintained at 60 to 70 centimeters; the distance between the third and fourth layers can be appropriately reduced.

Figure 91 Cherry tree trunk in sparse layers

Each main branch on the first layer is equipped with 3 to 5 side branches. The first side branch is 60 cm away from the base of the main branch. left and right; the second side branch is opposite the first side branch, about 30 cm away from the first side branch; the opening angle of the first and second side branches is 60 to 70 degrees, growing toward the back or both sides of the main branch; the third side branch and the first side branch are at On the same side, it is 60-70 cm away from the second side branch; the fourth side branch is on the same side of the second side branch, 20-25 cm away from the third side branch. There are 2 to 4 side branches on the main branches in the 2nd to 4th layers. On the side branches of the main branches in each layer, secondary side branches can be cultivated appropriately according to the situation. On the backbone branches at all levels, configure corresponding result branch groups according to the size of the space.

In the process of shaping the sparse layer shape of the main trunk, the requirements for technical conditions are relatively high and the amount of pruning is large. After fruiting, the tree vigor is easy to maintain, the fruiting part is relatively stable, and the number and size of fruits inside and outside the crown are relatively uniform. In the early stage of shaping, it is necessary to leave more auxiliary branches appropriately to increase the number of branches and leaves, quickly expand the crown of the tree, and achieve early fruiting. Attention should also be paid to balancing the growth balance of the backbone branches at all levels, and using methods such as bracing and pulling to open the angle of the main branches on the first layer to avoid upward force.

The advantage of this tree shape is that it is suitable for the growth habits of most sweet cherry varieties, especially for Naweng, Da Zi, Topaz and other varieties with strong dryness and obvious layering. It is suitable for fertile soil. used in flatland orchards.

This kind of tree shape has a strong backbone, higher yield, better quality and longer economic life.