Cherry trees can be grown in different climates and growing zones depending on the specific variety. However, most cherry trees require a certain number of cold hours to produce fruit, with some areas limiting their range. Cooling hours are the hours below 45 degrees Fahrenheit that a plant needs to die and grow.
Sweet cherry trees typically require 700 to 1,000 hours of refrigeration, while sour cherry trees need 1,000 to 1,200 hours. However, some very hardy cherry varieties have been developed that require fewer chilling hours and can be grown in warmer climates. I have provided some examples of them below.
In general, sweet cherry trees are best suited to USDA Zones 5-9, while sour cherry trees can be grown in Zones 4-8. However, some cultivars may be better suited to certain climates and growing conditions, so it is important to do your research and choose the right cultivar for your specific location.
When choosing trees that will grow well in your area, visit your favorite nursery and check for availability. You can bet that if they don’t have a certain type of tree, it’s because it’s not suitable for your area.
Sweet Cherry Trees
Sweet cherry trees produce large, firm, sweet-tasting fruit. It is usually grown for its fruit but can also be grown for ornamental purposes due to its beautiful flowers.
Sour Cherry Trees
Sour cherry trees produce small to medium fruits that are sharp and refreshing. This cherry is often used in baking and is the traditional cherry used in pies and other desserts.
This article will provide general instructions for planting cherry tree seeds and seedlings.
How to Plant a Young Cherry Tree
Cherry trees need a location with full sun (at least 6-8 hours per day) and well-drained soil. The ideal soil pH for cherry trees is slightly acidic, between 6.0 and 6.8, although they are adaptable and can grow in a variety of soil types and pH levels. The site should also be protected from strong winds that could damage the tree and its fruits.
Growing a cherry tree is a straightforward process. Here is a guide on how to do this:
Make the hole deeper and broader than the root ball of the plant. The hole should be deep enough to allow the top of the root ball to settle with the surrounding soil.
If the soil is poor or has drainage problems, amend it with compost or other organic material to improve its structure and fertility.
Gently lift the plant out of the container and place it in the planting hole. Make sure the dirt around the root ball is level at its top. Fill the hole with soil and firm it gently around the base of the tree.
Water the tree deeply immediately after planting to help settle the soil and ensure good root-soil contact.
Lay a layer of organic mulch (such as wood chips or shredded bark) around the base of the tree, being careful not to pile it up on the trunk. The mulch will help retain moisture, suppress weeds, and regulate soil temperature.
Keep the soil moist but not waterlogged, and provide regular watering during dry spells. Fertilize the tree according to its specific needs, and prune it as needed to maintain its shape and promote healthy growth.
Low-Chill Cherry Varieties
Here are some examples of hardy cherry varieties that are suitable for growing in warm climates:
Minnie Royal and Royal Lee: These two cherry trees are a self-pollinating pair that only require 200-300 hours of refrigeration. They produce large, deep red fruits that are sweet and juicy.
Majestic: This cherry tree requires only 250 to 400 hours of refrigeration and produces large, firm fruit with a sweet flavor.
Royal Crimson: This variety requires only 200-300 hours of refrigeration and produces deep red, sweet-tasting fruit.
Royal Hazel: This cherry tree requires only 150-200 hours of refrigeration and produces large, firm fruit with a sweet flavor.
Even hardy cherry varieties may need some cold in order to bear fruit, so it’s important to choose the right variety for your climate and growing conditions.
Hybrid and Dwarf Cherry Trees
Hybrid cherry trees are crosses between sweet and sour cherry trees, and they usually produce fruit that are larger and sweeter than sour cherries but not as sweet as sweet cherries.
Dwarf cherry trees are miniature versions of traditional trees, and are often used in small gardens or containers. These trees are usually grown for their fruit but can also be used for ornamental purposes.
How to Plant Cherry Seeds
Growing a cherry tree from seed may not be a good idea because it can take years for the tree to bear fruit as a result. Also, the fruit may not be as good as the parent tree, so if you’re looking for a specific type of cherry, it’s best to buy a young tree from a reputable nursery.
However, growing any tree from seed is both educational and fun, and if you want to do it “long term”, here’s how to plant cherry seeds:
Collect fresh, ripe cherries from a healthy, disease-free tree. Remove the flesh from the fruit and wash the seeds well.
Cherry seeds should be stratified, exposing them to cool periods to break dormancy and stimulate germination. Place the seeds in a paper towel or damp cloth and place them in a resealable plastic bag to cover them. Store the bag in the refrigerator for at least 8-10 weeks, keeping the seeds moist.
Choose a well-drained site with full sun. Clear the planting area of weeds and debris, and loosen the soil to a depth of about 12 inches.
After stratifying the seeds, remove them from the bag and plant them in the prepared soil. Sow the seeds about 1 inch deep and 2-3 inches apart. Cover the seeds with soil and water them well.
Keep the soil moist but not waterlogged, and provide regular watering as needed. Be patient; it may take many weeks for cherry seeds to sprout. Once the seeds have germinated and the plants have emerged, thin them out so that the strongest seedlings remain at each planting site.
Once the plants grow to about 8-10 inches tall, they can be transplanted to their permanent location. Please choose a location with good drainage and full sun, and plant the plant at the same depth it was growing at before. Water the plant well and water it regularly until it is transplanted.
Growing Tips for a Bountiful Harvest
Here are some tips for a successful cherry harvest:
Choose a variety of cherry tree that is appropriate for your climate and growing conditions. Make sure the variety you choose is disease resistant and has a history of producing good fruit.
Give your cherry tree proper care during the growing season. This covers routine fertilisation, insect control, and irrigation.
To encourage optimal fruit output and tree health, prune your cherry tree during the dormant season Remove any dead or diseased wood, as well as any branches that are rubbing against each other.
Protect the fruit from birds and other pests by covering the tree with netting or by using various pest control methods. Remove any damaged or diseased fruit immediately to prevent the spread of disease.
Harvest the cherries when they are fully ripe, but before they are overripe and begin to fall from the tree. The exact time depends on the variety, but most cherries are ready for harvest in late spring or early summer.
When harvesting, handle the fruit carefully so as not to hurt or damage the cherries. Remove the cherries from the tree by gently twisting them or using scissors to cut off the stems.
Chill Accumulation Growing Technique
Many cherry trees that are not considered “hardy” can still be grown in warmer climates using a modified growing technique called “cold piling,” a technique that allows fruit trees to grow and is used that require a certain amount of cold in temperate conditions. winter areas. Or areas where the climate does not provide the tree with the necessary number of cooling hours to produce fruit.
This technique involves artificially simulating a cold winter for the tree, which triggers the dormancy process and allows the tree to accumulate the required number of cold hours.
Common Cherry Tree Pests
Cherry trees are not immune to pests, and no plant is fully pest-free.
These are some common cherry tree pests:
Cherry Fruit Fly: A small insect that lays its eggs in the developing fruit, infecting the worms. Infected fruit may have small puncture marks and eventually rot.
Aphids: Aphids are small, soft-bodied insects that feed on the sap of cherry trees, causing the leaves to curl and distort.
Spider Mites: They are small mites that feed on the leaves of cherry trees, causing them to turn yellow and form fine webs.
Cherry Slug: A small, sticky larva that feeds on the leaves of cherry trees, making holes and skeletons.
Scale Insects: Scale insects are small, inactive insects that feed on the sap of cherry trees, causing the leaves to turn yellow and deform.
