Cherry Trees
Cherries are a favorite among many, and incredibly delicious straight from the tree. Their beautiful spring display, and delectable fruit make them a must have for the home orchard.
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CARE
Cherries can be problematic to grow, but the reward is definitely worth it. There are two main types of cherries, sweet cherries, and tart cherries. Tart cherries tend to be easier to grow and less susceptible to pests and diseases.
Planting Location: Cherries prefer full sun with well draining soil, sweet cherries will not tolerate wet or clayey soils. Avoid planting cherries in low lying areas, which are prone to collect more water and readily frost over in cold conditions. Sweet cherries tend to bloom early, and are often subject to frost damage, which can be detrimental to fruit production.
Pests and Disease: Birds have an affinity for cherries and will consume the whole trees worth in a very short time if allowed. Bird netting can be easily used on dwarf and semi-dwarf trees, it becomes more difficult, but not impossible on standard sized trees. Along with birds, cherries are prone to a variety of other ailments, especially when grown in the Willamette Valley’s wet climate, making a pest management strategy essentially necessary.
ROOTSTOCK
Cherries will grow to be large or small, it is all dependent on the rootstock they are grafted on to.
Dwarf- A dwarf cherry tree will grow 8-14′ tall and wide. They are usually the earliest to mature and bear fruit, and typically produce 15-20 quarts a tree. They usually benefit from staking.
Semi Dwarf- A semi-dwarf cherry tree will grow 12-18′ tall and wide. They are slower to bear fruit then dwarf, but will produce a larger amount, typically 20 to 60 quarts a tree. They commonly do not require staking.
Standard- A standard cherry tree will grow 18′-25′ tall and wide. They often take longer to bear fruit, but bear the most fruit, typically 60-75 quarts a tree. They are very sturdy and require no staking.
POLLINATION
In order for cherries to set fruit they need to be pollinated. Cherries are most commonly pollinated by honey bees. While some cherries are considered self-fertile (can set fruit when pollinated with their own pollen), all will benefit/require cross pollination to produce a good yield of fruit. Cross pollination will occur when two or more differing varieties of compatible cherries are planted within the same vicinity and bloom at the same or overlapping times.
USES
Cherries can be eaten fresh, canned, dried, or baked into goodies. Tart cherries, often called pie cherries, and like their name suggests, and typically better for baking with. Sweet cherries are best for fresh eating.
Pollination Chart
All Cherries in the same relative color group will cross pollinate with two exceptions: The Bing Cherry won't cross pollinate with Royal Ann or Stella. Sharing the Star or circle symbol by the name indicated incompatible cross-pollination.
All pie cherries, also known as sour cherries, are self-fertile.
Cherries take 2-3 years after planting to start producing fully.
SEMI-DWARF VARIETIES
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Bing
Zone: 5
15′ x 15′
Harvest Season: Midsummer
Disease Resistance: Moderate
Most popular sweet cherry variety. Produces exceptionally large, dark mahogany fruit that is firm, sweet and juicy.
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Black Tartarian
Zone: 5
15′ x 15′
Harvest Season: Early summer
Disease Resistance: Moderate
Heavy bearer of large, bright purplish black sweet cherries. Flesh is tender, juicy, and very rich. Fragrant white flowers in spring.
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Carmine Jewel
Zone: 5
8′ x 8′
Harvest Season: July
Disease Resistance: Good
This tree produces vibrant dark-red, tart nickel sized cherries. Fruit is best when it ripens to a deep red color on the bush. Great for use in pies, juice, dried, and fresh eating. High yeilds. Self-pollinating, but plant two or more for larger crops.
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Evans Bali
Zone: 3
15′ x 15′
Harvest Season: August
Disease Resistance: Moderate to Good
Evans Bali is much sweeter than other sour cherries. The dark red fruit is approximately 1 inch in diameter and is excellent for baking and fresh eating. Self pollinator.
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Juliet
Zone: 3
10′ x 8′
Harvest Season: July
Disease Resistance: Good
Juliet is a tasty and sweet. Yields large, deep-red cherries with a complex flavor and robust texture. While delicious fresh, they are also great for baking, and making jams. Juliet is easy to care for and doubles as an ornamental plant with abundant white flowers and glossy green leaves. Self-pollinating but enjoys a Romeo nearby!
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Lapins
Zone: 6
15′ x 15′
Harvest Season: Late June to July
Disease Resistance: Moderate to good
Large and juicy dark red fruit of excellent quality and superb flavor. Self pollinates.
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Montmorency
Zone: 5
15′ x 15′
Harvest Season: Mid June
Disease Resistance: Good
Bears armloads of ripe, tangy, red cherries, which make mouthwatering pies and cobblers. Large fruit with bright red skin. The standard by which pie cherries are judged. Self-pollinating.
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Rainier
Zone: 5
15′ x 15′
Harvest Season: Late June to July
Disease Resistance: Moderate to good
A very large, beautiful, golden yellow fruit with a red blush, ‘Rainier’ is easy to grow in the Northwest. Bears abundant crops of sweet, richly flavored, firm and juicy fruit.
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Romeo
Zone: 3
8′ x 4′
Harvest Season: July
Disease Resistance: Good
Beautiful clusters of fragrant, white flowers in mid-spring makes this a great landscape specimen. Produces dark purple-red fruit that is great for cooking, baking, canning. Makes delicious jams and jellies.Self pollinating but enjoys a Juliet close by!
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Stella
Zone: 5
15′ x 15′
Harvest Season: Late July
Disease Resistance: Moderate to Good
This popular and prolific variety features showy white flowers in spring and superb, dark red, sweet fruit in summer. This is an excellent self-pollinating variety that can be used as a pollenizer for other sweet cherries.
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Sweetheart
Zone: 5
12′ x 12′
Harvest Season: Late August
Disease Resistance: Moderate
Sweetheart™ is a large, bright red heart-shaped cherry with good flavor that remains firm after picking.
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Van
Zone: 5
15′ x 15′
Harvest Season: Early August
Disease Resistance: Good
Fruits are amazingly juicy, crisp, crunchy and have a sweet melon like flavor. Slight tapered neck, instead of round shape like other Japanese pears. Very productive.