Bird cherry trees, also known as Prunus padus, are a species of cherry tree that are native to Europe and parts of Asia. They are a medium-sized deciduous tree that can grow up to 16 meters tall. Bird cherry trees are quite fast growing when young, but growth tends to slow down as trees mature.
How fast do bird cherry trees grow each year?
On average, young bird cherry trees grow around 0.5-1 meter per year once established. Growth rates are fastest in the first 10 years, then tend to slow down as trees reach maturity. Here are some general growth rate guidelines for bird cherry trees of different ages:
- 1-2 years – Around 30-60 cm per year
- 3-5 years – Up to 1 meter per year
- 6-10 years – Around 50-100 cm per year
- 10+ years – 20-50 cm per year
These growth rates can vary depending on growing conditions. Bird cherry trees tend to grow faster when provided with full sun, fertile soil, regular water and good drainage. Growth will be slower in shady, poor soil or drought conditions.
What affects the growth rate of bird cherry trees?
There are several factors that can affect how fast bird cherry trees grow each year:
Climate and location
Bird cherry trees grow best in cool, moist climates. Warm, dry climates can slow growth rates. Locations with cold winters and mild summers are ideal. Trees grown at higher altitudes or latitudes tend to be slower growing.
Soil and drainage
Bird cherry trees like fertile, humus-rich, slightly acidic soil. Poor, compacted or waterlogged soil will restrict growth. Good drainage is important to prevent waterlogging. Adding organic matter can improve soil quality.
Sun exposure
Full sun is best for maximizing growth rates. At least 6 hours of direct sun per day is ideal. Too much shade will significantly slow growth.
Pruning and training
Pruning bird cherry trees when young helps encourage strong structure and form. However excessive pruning can reduce vigor and restrict growth for that season. Proper structural pruning when young maximizes growth potential.
Water and nutrients
Bird cherry trees need adequate water and nutrition to support fast growth rates. Drought stress, poor drainage or nutrient deficiencies can all slow down growth. Fertilizing with compost and regular watering helps growth.
Pests and diseases
Like most trees, bird cherries can be affected by pests like aphids, caterpillars and borers. Diseases like bacterial canker, powdery mildew and root rot can also slow growth if not managed properly.
Age of tree
As mentioned previously, bird cherry trees grow fastest when young. Growth naturally slows down as trees reach maturity. The growth potential declines once trees are over 10 years old.
Typical growth rate in the first 10 years
Here is an overview of the typical growth rate pattern you can expect from a bird cherry tree in its first 10 years:
Year | Average Annual Growth |
---|---|
1 | 30-60 cm |
2 | 60-90 cm |
3 | 70-120 cm |
4 | 80-150 cm |
5 | 60-120 cm |
6 | 50-100 cm |
7 | 50-100 cm |
8 | 50-90 cm |
9 | 40-80 cm |
10 | 30-60 cm |
As you can see, the fastest annual growth occurs in years 3-5, where it is common for bird cherry trees to put on over 1 meter of new growth per year. The growth rate starts high when trees are establishing, reaches a peak, then gradually slows as trees enter maturity.
Growth rate depending on pruning and training
Employing proper pruning and training techniques when bird cherry trees are young can help maximize their growth rate potential. Here is how growth rates may differ depending on pruning and training:
Untrained
If left unpruned and untrained, bird cherry trees will grow relatively slowly and in a rather leggy, irregular shape. Expect only 30-60cm of growth per year without pruning or training.
Lightly pruned
Light pruning to remove deadwood and allow light penetration can boost growth to around 60-90cm per year.
Trained when young
If bird cherry trees are pruned and trained when 1-2 years old to encourage good structure, expect growth rates of 90-120cm per year.
Heavily pruned
Heavily pruning an already mature bird cherry tree will actually slow down growth as the tree recovers. Restrict growth to just 20-40cm in the year after heavy pruning.
Maximum growth rate under ideal conditions
When provided with absolutely ideal growing conditions, bird cherry trees can grow at the upper end of their potential growth rate spectrum. Here are max growth rates:
- Year 1 – 60cm
- Year 2 – 120cm
- Year 3 – 150cm
- Year 4 – 200cm
- Year 5 – 150cm
- Year 6 – 120cm
- Year 7 – 100cm
- Year 8 – 80cm
- Year 9 – 60cm
- Year 10 – 50cm
To achieve these maximal growth rates, bird cherry trees need the perfect growing conditions:
- Rich, moist, well-draining soil
- Full sun – at least 8 hours per day
- Regular sufficient water and nutrients
- Proper training and pruning when young
- No pests, disease or damage
- Ideal climate – adequate rainfall, moderate temperatures
This perfect storm is hard to achieve, so more moderate growth rates within the typical ranges are much more common overall.
Growth rate in other environments
Bird cherry trees can be grown in various environments, but growth rates may differ. Here are some growth rate guidelines for less-than-ideal conditions:
Coastal Regions
Growth rate: 30-60cm per year
The salt-laden winds and sandy soils of coastal regions can slow bird cherry growth rates. Provide some shelter from harsh winds.
Hot Climates
Growth rate: 30-80cm per year
Hot summer temperatures limit growth of bird cherries. Ensure adequate water and plant in part shade.
High Altitude
Growth rate: 20-50cm per year
Colder temperatures and shorter growing seasons restrict growth at higher altitudes. Focus on fast growing varieties.
Far North
Growth rate: 30-60cm per year
Even cold-hardy bird cherry trees grow slower in frosty northern climates. Select sheltered sites with warmer microclimates.
Poor Soil
Growth rate: 20-50cm per year
Nutrient deficient or compacted soils severely limit growth. Improve soils with organic matter and fertilizer.
Growth rate of different bird cherry tree varieties
There are a few different varieties of bird cherry trees, some which are faster growing than others. Here are typical growth rates for popular varieties:
Prunus padus
Growth rate: 30-100cm per year
The species type bird cherry. Medium growth rate.
Prunus padus ‘Colorata’
Growth rate: 40-120cm per year
Purple-leaved cultivar with slightly faster growth habit.
Prunus padus ‘Summer Glow’
Growth rate: 50-150cm per year
Vigorous grower with yellow foliage when young. The fastest growing bird cherry variety.
Prunus padus ‘Albertii’
Growth rate: 30-80cm per year
Compact, columnar form with slower growth rate. Good for confined spaces.
Prunus padus ‘Pandora’
Growth rate: 20-60cm per year
Dwarf cultivar that only reaches 2-3 m height. Very slow, restricted growth.
Growth rate compared to other tree species
Tree Type | Average Annual Growth Rate |
---|---|
Bird Cherry | 30-100cm |
Apple | 40-100cm |
Arbutus | 60-120cm |
Ash | 70-150cm |
Aspen | 100-200cm |
Birch | 50-150cm |
Cherry | 50-150cm |
Douglas Fir | 30-100cm |
Hawthorn | 20-60cm |
Hazel | 30-90cm |
Lime | 30-100cm |
Maple | 40-150cm |
Oak | 20-80cm |
Poplar | 150-300cm |
Spruce | 20-60cm |
Willow | 100-400cm |
As you can see, bird cherry is considered a medium-fast growing deciduous tree species. It grows at a similar rate to other popular landscape trees like apple, birch and maple. Very fast growing species like aspen, poplar and willow can put on 2-3 times as much growth per year as bird cherry under ideal conditions.
How to maximize growth rate
Here are some tips to help maximize growth rate of your bird cherry trees:
- Select a fast growing variety suited to your climate
- Plant in full sun and sheltered from strong winds
- Space trees adequately to avoid overcrowding
- Water regularly during dry periods
- Apply organic mulch around base to retain moisture
- Fertilize each spring with balanced organic fertilizer
- Prune to encourage strong structure when young
- Control pests and diseases as required
- Avoid excessive pruning and root disturbance
With the right care and conditions, you can optimize growth rate. But bird cherries will only grow as fast as their natural genetic potential allows.
Conclusion
In summary, bird cherry trees are fast growing when young but their growth rate slows as trees mature. Under ideal conditions they can put on over 1 meter of growth per year in the first few years. Growth rates are influenced by climate, soil, sun exposure, watering, pruning and pests/diseases. To maximize growth ensure trees are properly cared for and provided with the best growing conditions possible.