Content
It is difficult to find a person who is indifferent to the flowering bird cherry. Shrubs or trees look decorative at any time of the year. But the plant is especially beautiful during flowering. This is why bird cherry can be seen in the gardens of many Russians. We will discuss later how to plant bird cherry correctly.
Where can you plant bird cherry
In order for the bird cherry planted on the site to please the eye, you need to choose the optimal place for it. This plant is grown as a tree or shrub. But in any case, the result is a wide and spreading crown.
The bird cherry itself is a plant that creates good shading. But to plant it you need to choose open areas that are well lit by the sun. In the shade, the shoots of the plant become very elongated, so flower buds will form only on the tops of the heads, which results in the loss of the decorative qualities of the bird cherry.
The plant prefers slightly acidic or neutral soils. They can be sandy or clayey.A very good indicator when choosing a planting site is the close occurrence of groundwater. After all, bird cherry develops better in moist soils.
When planting, one should take into account the strong growth of the plant, so it is not advisable to plant bushes in close proximity to other cultivated trees and shrubs.
Is it possible to plant bird cherry on the site?
You can plant any trees and shrubs on the site, including bird cherry. When planting bird cherry seedlings, some gardeners make gross mistakes, which are not so easy to correct later. Under no circumstances should plants be placed next to currants and gooseberries.
The fact is that bird cherry growing in the garden is damaged by many pests and diseases that migrate to other cultivated plants in the garden. Aphids are very annoying to this plant. These pests literally stick to young shoots and tassels with flowers.
Is it possible to plant bird cherry near the house?
It is not recommended to plant bird cherry in close proximity to the house:
- The strong aroma of the flowering plant is an allergen.
- Tall bushes or trees block the light, preventing it from entering the living space.
- If bird cherry is planted close to the house, the wall will be constantly damp, which can provoke the development of fungus.
- The root system of bird cherry is powerful, it grows in depth and width. If the plant is located in close proximity to the house, it may damage the foundation.
What plants are planted next to bird cherry
According to gardeners, almost all garden plants can be planted next to bird cherry. It is difficult to avoid damage, since many diseases and pests travel through the air and are carried by the wind. Therefore, a plant with fragrant flowers can be planted in the garden; you just need to treat the plantings simultaneously with other crops from diseases and pests.
When can you plant bird cherry: in spring or autumn
Bird cherry seedlings can be planted in spring or autumn. But experienced gardeners recommend giving preference to autumn propagation. It is at this time that the soil is saturated with sufficient moisture and nutrients.
How to plant bird cherry on the plot
It is not difficult to plant bird cherry seedlings on the site. You just need to take into account that strongly growing bushes and trees are located at a distance of at least 5 m. A hole is dug of such a size that the root system can be freely accommodated in it.
Before planting, bird cherry seedlings are carefully inspected. Any damaged roots are cut off, and long ones are shortened. If the seedling has many shoots, leave the largest and most developed ones, but no more than 2 pieces. They are shortened to 50-60 cm.
Peat, dry leaves, humus and mineral fertilizers are poured into the bottom of the pit. The composition is thoroughly mixed.
A 12 cm layer of earth is poured on top, a mound is made and the plant is planted on it. The roots are straightened and covered with earth.
The soil is well compacted and watered abundantly. To retain moisture, the pit must be mulched with peat or sawdust.
Rules for proper care
Bird cherry is an unpretentious plant, so planting and care do not create any problems. All events are traditional:
- watering, fertilizing and loosening;
- crown formation;
- protection from diseases and pests.
How to water
Bird cherry plantings do not require regular watering, which is very convenient for gardeners. In a normal summer, 20-30 liters of water are poured under each plant. If the summer is dry, then the amount of liquid is increased, but the frequency is not changed. In addition, sprinkling is recommended. This procedure saves the green mass and tassels with berries from drying out.
How to feed bird cherry
Caring for bird cherry is not difficult. The plant, like any garden crop, needs feeding. Although the procedure is optional, to prevent diseases and increase lifespan, experienced gardeners feed the plantings from time to time.
Bird cherry bushes or trees can be fed using mineral or organic fertilizers. They are applied in spring or autumn. In spring it is better to feed the plants with saltpeter or urea. In the fall, water the bird cherry with superphosphate or potassium salt.
From organic matter, humus or peat is used as mulch, as well as wood ash, rich in microelements.
Plants are fed with mineral fertilizers only at the roots; it is necessary to prevent the preparations from getting on the green mass. Recommendations for using the fertilizer are indicated on the packaging. You must carefully read the instructions and strictly follow them when diluting solutions.
How to trim bird cherry
Bird cherry is grown not only for its fragrant flowers and healthy berries. The main purpose is decorative. In order for plants to become a real decoration of the garden, it is necessary to trim the branches in a timely manner.In addition, a timely procedure helps save trees or bushes from diseases and pests.
Sanitary pruning is carried out in spring and autumn. First of all, remove damaged shoots and branches, then those on which pests have accumulated.
Throughout the season, growing shoots must be cut out, as they draw nutrients and moisture from the soil. In addition, aphids often settle on young shoots.
To add decorativeness, formative pruning is carried out. The fact is that bird cherry is grown in the form of a tree or shrub. Therefore, plants need to be pruned differently from the moment of planting.
How to form a bush:
- On the first tier, shoots are shortened at a height of 0.7-0.8 m from the ground surface.
- When new shoots appear next year, the most developed ones are left and pruned in exactly the same way.
- As a result, by the 3rd year a bush appears with symmetrically arranged shoots in several tiers.
Rules for forming a tree:
- One most developed trunk is left, all shoots and branches located below are cut out.
- All cutting areas, regardless of whether the bird cherry tree is formed in spring or autumn, are treated with garden varnish.
How to get rid of bird cherry on the site
Planting bird cherry trees on the site is not difficult. But in the future, a lot of troubles arise, since the plant annually produces a large number of shoots extending from the root. In addition, young growth around the plant appears from fallen berries.
If appropriate measures are not taken, young bushes will fill the entire area.There are a number of measures that can help you get rid of unnecessary plantings.
Physical method
If you can wait to remove the bird cherry, you can use the following method:
- At the beginning of summer, cut down the bird cherry trunks at a height of 130 cm from the root.
- Remove all shoots on the trunks; the same should be done when new branches appear.
- After 3 years, the bird cherry will remain a dry stump, which is easy to uproot.
Chemical method
If you need to remove bird cherry plantings quickly, then this method is what you need. They take chemicals, for example, “Hurricane” or “Tornado”. A concentrated solution is prepared from them and sprayed on the plants on the leaves, at the same time the root zone with young shoots.
Destruction begins immediately after the poison penetrates the leaves and then spreads throughout all the cells. As a result, by winter the bird cherry dries out, all that remains is to remove it from the site.
Diseases and pests of bird cherry
According to some gardeners, bird cherry, like a magnet, attracts various diseases and pests. In fact, the plant's susceptibility is almost the same as that of other garden crops. Preventive measures and means of combating harmful insects will help you avoid problems.
Diseases include:
- leaf spot;
- powdery mildew;
- cytosporosis;
- wood rot;
- pockets of flowers and fruits.
Plants suffer from the following pests:
- bird cherry aphids and bugs;
- gypsy moth;
- hawthorn and ermine bird cherry moth;
- weevil beetle.
To treat plants against pests, use a Karbofos solution. For 10 liters of water, 60 g of product is enough.As a preventative measure, plantings are sprayed twice a season. Consumption per plant – 2 liters. Treatments can be repeated in case of pest infestation.
Bird cherry diseases, signs and methods of treatment.
Disease | Signs | What to process |
Cytoplasmosis | The disease manifests itself on the trunk and branches. These parts of the bird cherry gradually dry out. The disease can be recognized by small white bumps. These are fungal pycnidia. During the rainy season, red threads appear from them. | As soon as the disease begins to manifest itself, it is necessary to cut off all damaged parts and burn them. For prevention, in early spring, before the leaves have bloomed, the bird cherry needs to be treated with copper oxychloride or a 1% solution of Bordeaux mixture. In March, bird cherry trunks need to be washed with a solution of iron sulfate, then whitened with lime |
Wood rot | The cause of the disease is tinder fungi. Spores penetrate through wounds and cracks formed in the bark | Bushes or trees can only be saved at the initial stage of the disease. Treatment begins with cleaning the affected areas and sealing them with clay combined with fungicides
|
Pockets of flowers and fruits | The bird cherry is affected by a fungus. Because of this, deformation of flowers and fruits occurs. The berries do not form seeds; they have a noticeable coating on them, which is a fungus bag | Treatment boils down to removing the affected parts of the plant. As a preventive measure, before flowering the planting should be treated with a 3% solution of iron sulfate or 1% Bordeaux mixture |
Powdery mildew | A white coating in the form of a cobweb appears on the bird cherry. Then dark spots appear on the trunks and leaves - fruiting bodies | Plantings are treated in spring and autumn with special preparations |
Rubella or polystigmosis (red leaf spot) | Due to the development of fungus, the leaves become covered with red spots.
| The disease can be destroyed using a 3% Nitrofen solution or copper sulfate until the leaves bloom, then before flowering. The third time spraying with fungicidal preparations is planned 2 weeks after the end of flowering |
Cercospora | The causative agent of the disease is located on both sides of the leaf blade. On the upper side the necrosis is whitish, on the lower side it is greenish-brown. During the development of the disease, the affected areas merge, causing the leaf tissue to fall out | To combat the disease, use the drug “Topaz”, which is used according to the recommendations |
Conclusion
You need to know how to plant bird cherry correctly in order to grow a plant with fragrant flowers and healthy berries. There are no difficulties in growing and caring for. But one should never forget about the prevention of diseases and pests so that a tree or shrub does not lose its decorative properties.
