Late July or August, on a dry day

Pruning and picking

Pruning should be carried out annually, as soon as harvesting is finished — usually in late July or August, when the risk of silver leaf disease and bacterial canker is lower, the RHS says. Prune on a dry day, when dry weather is forecast for at least the next two days. RHS Acid cherries, the RHS says, bear almost all their fruit on the previous year’s shoots, so if left unpruned the crop would be produced at the ends of overlong branches. RHS

Die-back of branches and discoloured leaves can be caused by the fungal disease silver leaf, the RHS says. To avoid infection, prune in summer after harvesting. RHS Dead patches of bark and small holes in leaves can be signs of bacterial canker, the RHS says, which may eventually result in branches or whole trees dying. RHS

Harvest only fully ripe cherries, the RHS says, as they won’t ripen further after picking. They ripen from early summer onwards, depending on the variety. Pick during dry weather if possible, and hold the stalk rather than the fruit, which bruises easily. RHS Too much rain or overwatering just as the fruit is ripening can cause the skin to split, the RHS says. Harvest before any heavy rain if possible. RHS