Hello Vjeko..hard to say, you probably want to cut some lower branches, for the ease of working around. You might want to cut it into a V shape further up using 3 or 4 branches, that's all up to you but I would. It wouldn't look good now but down the road the branches will come down.

Hi Konrad, thanks for the feedback. I know it's a bit hard to see the details from the photo (lot's of thin branches), but could you be a bit more specific ? See the "main trunk" - it goes straight up and then it curls a bit where the damage was . At this point there are two branches coming out on the same level . The "main trunk" then continues up. In order to make the V shape, should I cut the main trunk above the damage point & I presume one of those two branches needs to go ? So many branches - not sure how to proceed.

Thanks for the info - I'll try to figure out something now. I think it is a Maraska sour cherry - a variety local to Dalmatia and the Zadar area near where I live - maybe you've seen Maraska sour cherry liquer in your liquor store if they keep international liquors. Not sure how tall they get, but I'll just keep trimming it - what else can I do when I just can't stop planting things in the very limited area I have ;)

Are the two pictures from the same tree? They look like two different trees to me.

Cherry can grow very big and tall. You need to decide what type of pruning you want for your tree, a central lead, a modified central lead, a V shape/open center. Once you decide, you can proceed to shape as planned.

Yes it's the same tree - thought two pictures would show the branches better (couple of branches coming out of the "damage area" / was not sure whether to keep the center & those branches. Tree is only 2m away from the house wall, so I'll need to keep it trim and would like to stop it getting too tall if possible. I'll dig a bit further into information about the shapes /maybe some videos- otherwise if there's one shape that would be preferred for my "requirements", would like to hear any suggestions.

Then, forget about central lead. It'll be too tall. I've trained my tree to open vase. With that, I do not get maximum yield but get a manageable tree with decent yield which is also easier to spray (for rot) and cover (from birds/squirrel).

If it were my tree, I'd top it off above the forth large scaffolds (counting from the bottom based on what I see in the first picture.

Don't know how cold you are. Suggestion for pruning cherry is usually in the summer. If you want to do it now, you may stimulate more growth below the cut. Also, choose a period of extended dry days if you can. In hot, humid weather, cutting/pruning trees in wet weather tends to invite diseases esp. canker.

Ah...Maraska sour cherry [cerasus acidior] from where the famous Maraschino cherries are made, preserved for Cake decorations and cocktails. [bleached first white or yellow and treated with various controversial chemicals]

I was just reading up on this one not too long ago, can you please describe the taste of it and perhaps have some pictures?

I took two more pictures in case you have a comment about the three branches near the "damage point" and can better see the tree.

Yes Maraska - and that is the name of the company that is famous for the Maraschino coctails - distilling started in 1768 - not sure about controversial chemicals unless you are referring to the alcohol ;)

About the taste - well, can't say very much - I waited till they were dark red and picked them as I was afraid the birds would beat me to them if I waited too long - they were juicy and sour. As I like fruit which has some sour flavor to it, I didn't mind eating them without adding sugar - the girls in the family on the other hand sprinkled some sugar (they would prefer cherries ;) )

Vjeko:

I think you have too many branches on the top half of the tree judging from the photos. I would prune about 1/2 them out. Some of the lower branches growing very upright I would do a heading cut and cut the upright growth back to a more horizontal branch. This would open the canopy up better. If not, I would think the tree would be extremely dense and shaded in the canopy when in leaf.

(unpruned tart cherry) (close up of canopy) (prune out excess to open canopy) (pruning done) (Amarelle compared to Morello type cherries)

I grow several varieties of tart and trying some sweet cherries too. The last year I got -18 Farenheight I lost my sweet cherries so starting over with them. I have not found a cherry variety yet that I do not like (although my family prefers 'Montmorency' and 'Balaton' over all other tart varieties I grow).
(birds are my biggest pest so I must net each tree)

Thanks to all, off to pruning - hope I don't make too big a mess of it ;) I'll post a photo.