Size of raised bed for Semi-Dwarf Cherry Tree

[mysti77]

Hi everyone,

I just bought a Summer Sun on Gisela rootstock from ChrisBowers website

I plan on building a square raised bed in sunny corner of our garden but I am unsure what size to make the square raised bed. This is the first time I am planting a tree ever and i have bought a stake and irrigation kit.

I have a small garden so intend on pruning to keep it small and narrow (2 meters perhaps). Not sure yet how to prune but I am hoping the information that comes with the tree will help

Thanks
Sasha

[WendyC]

I would say make it as big as you can. Presumably the bed will only have sides so the roots can grow as far as needed. You will always find something to plant in the bed to keep it company!

[mysti77]

I would say make it as big as you can. Presumably the bed will only have sides so the roots can grow as far as needed. You will always find something to plant in the bed to keep it company!

Thanks, then how far away from the wall. It's going in a corner (south and East walls). I want to keep the tree small.

Also I thought Cherry trees have very shallow roots so won't want anything planted with it to compete for water/nutrients?

Thanks for your help

[WendyC]

Probably best let it get established this year but I can't imagine they are so shallow rooted that, say, a few lettuces would do any harm. Never grown a cherry so can't confirm. Someone who has will put me right. The base of walls can be very dry so I'd have thought at least 2' away. What is the ultimate spread of the tree? You don't want its branches growing against the wall.
You say that you have bought an irrigation kit. You are better to water it well once a week than a sprinkle every day, as you want the roots to grow deep and search for water. Shallow watering will encourage shallow rooting. I'd have thought the only watering kit you need was a bucket or watering can!

[mysti77]

Probably best let it get established this year but I can't imagine they are so shallow rooted that, say, a few lettuces would do any harm. Never grown a cherry so can't confirm. Someone who has will put me right. The base of walls can be very dry so I'd have thought at least 2' away. What is the ultimate spread of the tree? You don't want its branches growing against the wall.
You say that you have bought an irrigation kit. You are better to water it well once a week than a sprinkle every day, as you want the roots to grow deep and search for water. Shallow watering will encourage shallow rooting. I'd have thought the only watering kit you need was a bucket or watering can!

Ok well 2' away from the wall is not as bad as I imagined. I thought it would be more like a meter away minimum.

Yes I feel a bit silly now ordering the irrigation kit. Really should have just got the stake, I don't even have any rabbits to deter so the kit was a bit of overkill.

Thanks for info on watering once a week. What happens if it rains? How do I determine how much water it needs then?

[WendyC]

If you can do a metre away that would be even better, but I know with a small garden everything has to be squashed in! If you are not sure whether rain has been enough you can always dig down a bit and see what the soil is like below the surface. Not next to your newly planted cherry though!

[Kirk]

Why are you making a raised bed for it?
Most sort of dig a hole and drop a tree in the hole.
Just wondering if some bit of information is missing?

[mysti77]

Why are you making a raised bed for it?
Most sort of dig a hole and drop a tree in the hole.
Just wondering if some bit of information is missing?

Its a new build property and new garden/turf. Plan Is to build a raised border as we have a 4 year old son and a 10 week old puppy. Hoping that having a couple of railway sleepers will help set the boundaries of play area. Also as its new build the soil below the turf is unknown territory although the turf seems to be growing lush.

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[AllInContainers]

Why not just stick it in a large pot? All my trees are in pots, and are very happy. I also have an apple and fig which went in pots last year, and they're both happy too. More protection for the tree from puppy and child, plus less agro on building, filling, subsoil, and rogue roots.

My cherry is currently in a 50L pot (I think?), but that's only because it's had a couple of years growing time with me already. The other trees that I've just introduced this year (apple, medlar, persimmon, blue sausage fruit, dwarf peach, dwarf quince and several more, are in circa 30 - 35L pots, and will be happy in there for a good couple of years.

[mysti77]

Why not just stick it in a large pot? All my trees are in pots, and are very happy. I also have an apple and fig which went in pots last year, and they're both happy too. More protection for the tree from puppy and child, plus less agro on building, filling, subsoil, and rogue roots.

My cherry is currently in a 50L pot (I think?), but that's only because it's had a couple of years growing time with me already. The other trees that I've just introduced this year (apple, medlar, persimmon, blue sausage fruit, dwarf peach, dwarf quince and several more, are in circa 30 - 35L pots, and will be happy in there for a good couple of years.

Great thanks for this info. I take it I still need a stake for it in the pot? The stake I got is a huge heavy thing so will probably be too heavy for a pot. If I go for a 30-35L pot how will I know when I need to put it in a bigger pot?

I have a feeling I will just do everything in pots of some sort and that way I dont commit to a garden design when its still a blank canvas.

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[AllInContainers]

Depends on the tree and the existing root structure, but mine was in around 30-35L (ish) for two years. If you can find a large ceramic pot rather than a plastic one, this will help to lower the centre of gravity so the weight of the stake doesn't cause problems. Alternatively you could co for a larger (say 50L+) plastic pot and put broken bricks/concrete in the bottom to ensure a heavy base.

The added benefit with pots (or one of them) is that if your family gets larger in a couple of year and you need to move house, you can take it with you

[mysti77]

Thanks again

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[mysti77]

Got a heavy 37L pot today so will give this a go and hopefully the tree with be happy

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[AllInContainers]

Good luck

[orangepippin]

I have a small garden so intend on pruning to keep it small and narrow (2 meters perhaps).

It's not a good idea to attempt to prune a cherry tree to keep the size down, it will fight back, or it may get infected through the pruning cuts. Planting in a container (as suggested by others) is an easier way to limit the size.