Cherry Tree

Cherries come in a variety of colors, textures and flavors. Sweet cherries are those found in stores for fresh eating.

Some commonly seen varieties are ‘Bing’, a nice tasty red, or ‘Rainier’, a sweeter yellow cherry considered by many to be unique. ‘Royal Ann’ is a yellow variety often dolled up to make maraschino cherries. In grocery stores you’ll find tart or sour cherries in the canned food aisle, ready to be made into pies.

Pollination

Cherry pollination is somewhat complex. Some varieties are self-fertile, so they can be planted alone and still bear fruit. They will bear larger crops if a cherry of a different type is planted nearby. Some varieties must be pollinated, so 2 trees must be planted, and many varieties are picky about which trees will work for pollination. See our Pollination list in our Pollination and Rootstock charts.

Culture

Improved soil drainage and ample air circulation are the keys to success with cherries. Mix compost into the soil before planting to ensure an active, well-established root system, and place the tree in a location with plenty of space. Cherries are sensitive to drought, so regular, deep watering in summer is essential. We recommend an hour of slow watering once a week during dry periods. Cherries are susceptible to a variety of diseases and pests. Please ask for a handout at our Information Desk for spray guidelines to help you prevent possible problems.

Learn more about: Pruning & Training Fruit Trees