Edmonton Journal

WHERE’S THE FRUIT? NANKING CHERRY BUSH FAILS TO PRODUCE

- GERALD FILIPSKI Growing Things Gerald Filipski is a member of the Garden Writers of America. He is the author of Just Ask Jerry. Email your questions to filipskige­rald@gmail.com. To read previous columns, go to edmontonjo­urnal.com/filipski.

Q I have a huge Nanking cherry bush that is not bearing fruit. Last year it bloomed profusely and there were massive numbers of bees during the blossom time, but no fruit. I went online and it was suggested to prune it after it blossomed. I pruned it as advised. This year it bloomed again, but not as much as last year, and still no fruit. The bush has become so big, I don’t know what to do. Help!

A Two things come to mind as possible factors in the lack of fruit on your tree.

First, how mature is the tree/ bush? Nanking cherries can take several years before they finally set fruit.

The second possibilit­y is that it is getting too much fertilizer. It is hard to tell from your photos if the tree is in a lawn setting. I suspect it is.

If so, the fertilizer from the lawn is likely affecting the tree. Too much nitrogen will cause the flowers to drop and not set fruit.

I suggest you avoid fertilizin­g under the tree up to its drip line.

I know this may be difficult to do, and you may have to fertilize the lawn by hand when you get close to the tree. You could also cut out a circle of the lawn around the base of the tree. This then becomes your no-fertilizer zone.

Q I have a white spruce that is not growing straight, especially at the top area. Is there anything you can suggest? It’s bad enough that I think of cutting it down and planting a replacemen­t tree. The spruce is likely 15 to 20 years old and is about 15 feet high.

A From your photo it looks like the tree was damaged at one time and the new leader that came out is growing at an angle rather than straight up. It can be repaired with a little effort.

I suggest getting a piece of thin concrete rebar long enough to tie to the middle of the trunk and to the crooked leader. Attach the rebar with wire to the tree trunk and the leader. If you are unable to straighten the leader initially without breaking it, pull the leader as much as you can safely toward the centre and leave it for this season.

You can try pulling it a little more in the fall, and again next spring until it is standing straight.

Once the tree straighten­s out you can remove the wire and rebar.

Q I would like to know, when is the best time to prune my Collet apple tree?

A You can prune the apple tree any time before the buds begin to swell in the spring. I like to prune mine in very early spring, when the snow has disappeare­d and I have easy access to the trees.

However, I also prune some of my apples in the summer.

I find that pruning for shape in the summer is much easier to do with the tree fully leafed out. It allows me to see where the tree needs to be cut back more easily than on a tree that has bare branches in the spring.

So, prune for shape in the summer and prune for removal of dead branches or branches that are interferin­g with other branches in the spring.

Q I am a newcomer to the city and I can’t tell you how much your column helps my gardening endeavours. I hope you can help with a question. I have been trying to grow a clematis for the past three years. The plant starts out fine and seems to grow well but I can never get it to bloom.

A I’m so pleased you find the advice helpful. A clematis likes to have its “feet cool and head warm.” This means the plant’s roots need to be protected from the hot sun while the top is in full sun.

What I do with mine is place a rock or piece of shale at the base of the plant to help shade the roots. Good luck and happy gardening!

 ??  ?? According to Gerald Filipski, a Nanking cherry bush can take several years to bear fruit. Growers should know to avoid using too much fertilizer with a Nanking cherry bush.
According to Gerald Filipski, a Nanking cherry bush can take several years to bear fruit. Growers should know to avoid using too much fertilizer with a Nanking cherry bush.
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