why wont my weeping cherry weep?

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deerchaser North Providence, RI Jan 21, 2008

Hi All,

I have a weeping cherry that is now about 15 feet high. The branches no longer cascade down. Any ideas on what I can do to make it "weep" again?

Thanks,
Deerchaser

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ecrane3 Dublin, CA(Zone 9a) Jan 21, 2008

Can you post a picture of it and give us a little more info on its history? How have you been pruning it? Has it had any kind of disease problems? Etc. I think weeping cherries are often grafted onto non-weeping rootstock, so it's possible that you've gotten growth coming up from the rootstock that's overwhelmed the weeping part. The rootstock plant is often much more vigorous than the weeping part that's grafted on top.

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deerchaser North Providence, RI Jan 21, 2008

I think you are right. It seems like the rootstock is overtaking the tree. I wish I could post a photo but I cant figure out why I am unable to download from my camera. Very frustrating!

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ecrane3 Dublin, CA(Zone 9a) Jan 21, 2008

Well, if you can see that the rootstock is taking over then we probably don't need a picture. The trick with trees like this is to promptly prune out any shoots/suckers that come up from the base--those are all coming from the rootstock and if you let them take control, then they suck up all the tree's energy and doesn't leave any for the weeping part that you wanted.

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WeeNel Ayrshire Scotland, United Kingdom Jan 29, 2008

I had a weeping willow given as a gift, it was a Kilmarnock willow which stayed small but was to sen out wonderful falling branches each year, well did it weep, no it just stood there upright, laughing at me instead of weeping, I eventually took a branch along to the botanical gardens only to find out it had been a branch sucker/cutting from a willow that will grow out, up and deep down with it's root, it was gone by the next fall as we dug it up so it ain't laughing now. but as Ecrane said, you have probable let some of the true branches grow from the root stock, these grow strong and eventually will take over the whole tree, so after it flowers early this spring, I would set about removing the the branches that you dont want, the tree will look odd for a couple of years, but then it will come back again, but you need to cut these branches real close to the root stock trunk or they will grow back with a vengeance, this happens from under ground as Ecrane said, or if the trunk got damaged by a mower, some other tools or got nicks into the bark, so keep an eye on it for a few years to come. best of luck. they are such pretty trees when all the blossom comes in spring, also after cutting, spread a good feed around the roots so it gets more energy to put on new weeping growth. WeeNel.

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deerchaser North Providence, RI Feb 02, 2008

Thanks WeeNel! If nothing else, you made me laugh!

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