Cornelian Cherry Care
Cornus mas
A deciduous small tree native to Turkey, valuable both as an ornamental and as a fruit tree. It is known for its yellow flowers that open on bare branches in late winter and its tart, red fruits that ripen in late summer; it is very tolerant of drought and calcareous soils.
Monthly care calendar
Timings are for a temperate Northern Hemisphere climate. In warmer areas tasks start earlier, in colder areas later; in the Southern Hemisphere shift them by six months.
- Watering: Not required; winter precipitation is sufficient.
- Pruning: The best time for pruning is the end of this month to the beginning of February. It should be done before the flowers open.
- General care: Toward the end of winter, the flower buds become prominent.
- Watering: Not needed; rainfall is sufficient.
- Pruning: At the start of the month, just before the flowers open, prune to open the inside of the plant and remove dead and crossing branches.
- General care: From mid-month, bright yellow flowers open on bare branches.
- Frost risk: Flowers are quite hardy against frost.
- Watering: Usually rainfall is sufficient.
- Fertilizing: At the start of the month, apply well-rotted farmyard manure, compost, or a slow-release balanced NPK fertilizer over the tree's crown projection (do not overapply).
- Pruning: Prune just before the shoots break. Because flowers form on this year's new shoots, hard pruning increases flowering.
- General care: Flowers fade and leaves begin to emerge.
- Watering: If there is no rainfall, water every 15 days.
- General care: Fruit set begins, and small green fruits appear.
- Watering: If there is no rainfall, water once a week.
- General care: Spread a 5-7 cm layer of mulch over the root zone; it retains soil moisture and suppresses weeds. Do not pile mulch against the trunk.
- Watering: Water deeply twice a week; prefer infrequent and generous watering over small and frequent. The root zone should be wetted to a depth of 30-40 cm.
- General care: Regular watering is very important for the fruits to enlarge and fill out.
- Pests & diseases: Leaf spot diseases may be seen but are generally harmless.
- Watering: Water deeply twice a week; prefer infrequent and generous watering over small and frequent. The root zone should be wetted to a depth of 30-40 cm.
- General care: Keep it in a position sheltered from midday sun; scorching at the leaf edges is a sign of burn.
- Watering: Water deeply twice a week; prefer infrequent and generous watering over small and frequent. The root zone should be wetted to a depth of 30-40 cm.
- General care: Harvest begins at the end of the month. Pick the fruit when it has fully turned red.
- Pests & diseases: To protect ripening fruits from birds, a net can be drawn over them.
- Watering: If there is no rainfall, water once a week.
- General care: The fruits are harvested when fully ripe (dark red). They are used to make jam, marmalade and syrup. This is a very suitable time for planting new saplings.
- Pests & diseases: Prevent damage from birds and other animals by picking the fruits.
- Watering: If there is no rainfall, water every 15 days.
- General care: The leaves begin to turn yellow and fall.
- Watering: Not required; autumn precipitation is sufficient.
- General care: Collect fallen leaves; many disease agents and pests overwinter under leaves.
- General care: The tree is in full dormancy.
The care advice on this page is general and for information only; it is not professional advice. Plant age, soil and your garden’s microclimate can change the outcome. Plant protection products are mentioned only as general information; they are regulated, and the choice, dose and timing must be decided by a qualified professional under local rules. Consult a landscape architect or agronomist before applying.
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