By the fifth year the tree will have all the scaffold branches required, and it will not be so important to maintain a well developed leader. Mature trees are pruned to eliminate sharp crotch angles and to get rid of branches that grow across the shape of the tree. Remove dead, broken and weak branches and head back branches that are too long or too high. Generally only a light pruning is required. Pruning allows light penetration, good spray coverage to the interior of the tree, and air circulation in the middle of the tree.
Sweet Cherries tend to form whorls of branches.
The whorls may contain from 3 to 5 limbs. When pruning, reduce the whorls to 2 to 3 branches. Do not injure the fruiting spurs when harvesting. Do not pick cherries too early as once picked the flavor will not improve. They should be left on the tree until fully ripe.