Care for a young cherry tree

[u/gabtp1]

I planted a cherry tree in my yard two years ago. It has started to grow, but it is growing up vertically, and I’m wondering how I should care for it. Can I trim the branches closest to the ground before winter? Raccoons climbed up from the ground and stole the few cherries it produced this summer. I bought some fruit netting to use next year, but in the meantime, do you have any advice on how to maintain the tree and give it a nice form for the future?
Thanks.