It's important to manage that extra shoot growth after harvest, when leaves are still on the tree.
Hedging and topping
For bigger growers, hedging and topping by machine will take care of some of the problem.
For the smaller grower, topping using a power ladder and pneumatic or electronic secateurs may be the mode of action that takes care of the first part of the problem—the shortening of first year wood so that in two seasons time the orchard is not over producing small unsaleable fruit.
Canopy and light penetration
Following this first part of the pruning program, the trees need to be looked at while the leaves are still there, and to realise that you should be harvesting light.
Without light through the tree the tree will reduce the production of fruit buds Total shading will lead to trees becoming barren or only making fruit buds where light can penetrate. This is a fact whichever tree management system you use.
Removing competing side shoots at the top of the tree and shortening the apical dominant shoot will improve light penetration and reduce shading.
Canopy balance and limb rub
Next, check each tree for a limb that is causing major shading or is much larger or more vigorous than other limbs and out of balance, and remove it.
Also check for branches that should be removed such as those that are too low in the tree, or too close to the ground. Remove them as they will be even lower with the weight of fruit and can be damaged by orchard equipment.
There also may be branches that cross over or are touching each other, it is sound practice to thin these out as branches that rub through the bark may cause infection, especially if bacterial gummosis is a problem in your area.
Check for dappled shade
Before finishing the pruning job, check on a sunny day that the shade on the ground under the tree is dappled light and not full shade. If it is full shade there is more work to do.
Rewards
The reward when this work is done is an improvement in cherry fruit quality by having good light penetration; and an improved leaf to fruit ratio.
See this article in Tree Fruit February 2022
