How to Grow Cherries
Cherry trees are an excellent addition to gardens of any size, boasting captivating features such as vibrant spring blossoms, colorful fruits, distinctive bark, and foliage that transforms into hues of orange, red, and yellow during autumn.
Whether opting for sweet or sour (morello) cherries, each variety has specific requirements. These trees can thrive in various settings—containers, freestanding in the garden, or trained against a wall. While careful maintenance is essential, the reward of savoring freshly picked cherries justifies the effort.
To cultivate cherries, choose a sunny and sheltered location with well-drained soil. Maintain soil moisture and quality by mulching annually with compost or manure. Pruning may be necessary in the summer to ensure optimal growth and fruit production. Growing cherries may demand attention, but the delightful experience of harvesting your own cherries makes the endeavor truly worthwhile.
Where to grow cherry trees
![How to grow cherries - fan-trained Morello cherry tree](https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/10/2018/02/5172ebc4-0dd5-4bd9-a54a-151f204eab4f-610dfd9.jpg?quality=90&fit=700,466)
For optimal growth, cherry trees thrive in warm, sheltered, and frost-free environments, particularly in well-drained, slightly acidic soil. The more compact Morello cherry varieties are adaptable and can tolerate some shade, making them suitable for cultivation against a north-facing boundary. Additionally, these varieties are self-fertile, eliminating the need for a companion planting.
Sweet cherries, on the other hand, can flourish as free-standing trees in spacious gardens. Alternatively, dwarf varieties are well-suited for fan-trained growth against a warm wall or in containers. Adequate sunlight is crucial for their development. It’s important to note that certain sweet cultivars require a pollination partner, so be sure to check the specific requirements when selecting your cherry tree.
Planting cherry trees
![How to grow cherries - planting a bare-root cherry tree](https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/10/2018/02/109c2c8a-5c17-4978-98e9-80346197f94f-9e744ae.jpg?quality=90&fit=700,466)
Container-grown cherry trees offer the flexibility of year-round planting, while bare-root trees present a more cost-effective and diverse option when purchased in autumn or winter. To plant bare-root cherries during their dormant period from autumn to spring, follow these steps:
- Prepare the planting site by thoroughly digging over the soil, removing weeds, and creating a square planting hole.
- Plant the bare-root tree at the same depth it was growing in the field; you can use the soil “tide mark” as a reference point.
- Fill the hole with soil, ensuring the tree is securely positioned, and water the area thoroughly.
- Depending on the size of the tree, consider installing a stake to provide support for a young specimen as it establishes itself.
This planting method ensures the successful establishment of your cherry tree, and the autumn to spring timeframe aligns with the dormant phase, promoting healthier growth.
How to care for cherry trees
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At the onset of the growing season, providing proper care for cherry trees is crucial, especially considering their early flowering. Follow these steps to ensure their well-being:
- Mulching: In February, generously mulch the roots with well-rotted manure or garden compost. This enriches the soil and provides essential nutrients for robust growth.
- Fertilization: Regularly feed the cherry trees with a general fertilizer from February to the end of March. This boosts their nutrient intake during this critical period.
- Watering: Keep the trees well-watered in the early stages of growth. Adequate hydration is vital for their overall health and development.
- Frost Protection: If frost is predicted, safeguard early blossoms by covering them with horticultural fleece. This protective layer shields the delicate flowers from potential damage.
During the summer months:
- Bird Protection: Consider netting your trees to shield the fruits from birds. Alternatively, you can share the bounty with these feathered friends.
By following these guidelines, you’ll contribute to the flourishing growth of your cherry trees and safeguard them from potential threats during different stages of the growing season.
Pruning and training cherries
Cherries are traditionally cultivated in two main forms: as bush-type open trees or as fan-trained specimens against a wall or fence. Understanding the fruiting habits of sweet and morello cherries is crucial for effective pruning:
- Sweet cherries: These produce fruit on wood generated the previous season or earlier.
- Morello cherries: They bear fruit on one-year-old wood.
Pruning serves several purposes, including balancing old and new growth, removing dead, diseased, or dying branches, and shaping the tree for optimal development.
Observing the golden rule, it’s imperative to avoid pruning cherries during winter to mitigate the risk of silver leaf disease or canker. Instead:
- Prune young trees in spring: This is best done when new growth emerges.
- Prune established trees in summer: If necessary, perform pruning during this season to maintain the health and shape of the tree.
By adhering to these guidelines, you’ll contribute to the vitality of your cherry trees and minimize the potential risks associated with winter pruning.
Harvesting cherries
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When harvesting cherries from the tree, follow these steps to ensure a successful and damage-free harvest:
- Choose the Right Time: Pick cherries when they are fully ripe. The color, taste, and firmness of the fruit are good indicators of ripeness. Ripe cherries are usually plump, with a deep, vibrant color.
- Use Scissors or Pruners: To avoid damaging the tree or the cherries, use clean scissors or pruning shears. Snip the bunches of cherries with the stalks intact.
- Handle with Care: Take care not to bruise or squeeze the cherries while picking. Delicate handling ensures that the fruits remain in optimal condition.
- Collect in Baskets or Containers: Use shallow baskets or containers to collect the cherries. This prevents the weight of the fruit from causing damage to the lower layers.
- Harvest Regularly: Harvest cherries regularly as they ripen to encourage continued production and to prevent overloading branches.
- Inspect for Pests and Diseases: While harvesting, keep an eye out for any signs of pests or diseases. Remove any damaged or infested fruits to maintain the overall health of the tree.
By following these guidelines, you’ll be able to enjoy a bountiful harvest of cherries while ensuring the longevity and health of your cherry tree.
Storing cherries
Sweet cherries are a delightful treat when eaten fresh, and for optimal flavor, it’s recommended to consume them shortly after picking. If you wish to store them, the fridge is an ideal location, where they can be kept for about a week after harvesting.
For acid varieties of cherries, their tartness opens up a range of culinary possibilities. Consider using them in preserves, cakes, tarts, or any other creative recipes that showcase their unique flavor profile.
If you’re looking for inspiration, the curated collection of cherry recipes from olive magazine, including the tempting black forest gateau cheesecake, provides a wonderful starting point. Experimenting with different recipes allows you to fully enjoy the versatility of cherries in both sweet and savory dishes.
Growing cherries: problem solving
Cherries, like many fruit-bearing trees, are susceptible to various pests and diseases. Here are some common issues and strategies for their control:
Pests:
- Cherry Blackfly: These can be managed by encouraging natural predators, such as blue tits, early in the season.
- Fruit Fly (Maggots): Maggots can invade cherries, causing rotting. Careful monitoring and adopting practices to deter fruit flies, such as keeping the area clean and disposing of fallen fruit, can help manage this issue.
- Caterpillars: Natural predators can also be beneficial in controlling caterpillars. Additionally, regular inspection and handpicking of caterpillars can help prevent infestations.
- Birds: Birds can become a problem, especially when the fruits have formed. Netting your crop is an effective way to protect it from bird damage.
Diseases:
- Canker: Prune and remove infected branches promptly. Disinfect pruning tools to prevent the spread of the disease.
- Blossom Wilt: There is no cure for blossom wilt, so it’s essential to remove and destroy affected branches to prevent further spread.
- Brown Rot: Improve air circulation around the tree by proper pruning. Remove and destroy infected fruit promptly.
- Silver Leaf Disease: Prune affected branches during spring and summer to manage silver leaf disease. Avoid pruning during winter to reduce the risk of infection.
Regular monitoring, prompt action, and good horticultural practices contribute to maintaining the health and productivity of cherry trees.
Five cherry varieties to try
Cherries can be prone to cherry blackfly, and fruit fly – maggots invade the cherries and cause rotting, and caterpillars. These insects can be controlled by encouraging natural predators like blue tits early in the season. Later, when the fruits have formed, birds can become a problem, eating the fruit, so you may want to net your crop. Diseases to look out for include, canker, blossom wilt, brown rot and silver leaf disease. Silver leaf can be managed by pruning in spring and summer.
![How to grow cherries - cherry varieties to try](https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/10/2018/02/b45e1e4c-57ac-4cc0-992d-84b446695fdd-44b20ba.jpg?quality=90&fit=700,466)
The Prunus avium, or wild species cherry, is a majestic tree known for its pure white spring flowers and small red-purple cherries in summer. While the fruits are edible, they can be bitter. This tree has high ornamental value, featuring chestnut-colored bark that turns silvery with age and impressive autumn foliage. However, it’s suitable mainly for large gardens, as it can reach heights of 20m or more.
Here are some cultivated varieties:
- Prunus ‘Sweetheart’ (RHS AGM):
- Characteristics: Dark red, sweet cherry with excellent flavor.
- Harvest: Crops through until September.
- Prunus ‘Morello’ (RHS AGM):
- Characteristics: Acid cherry, self-fertile, with attractive blossom and abundant fruit in July and August.
- Culinary Uses: Ideal for preserves, cakes, and tarts.
- Prunus ‘Sunburst’:
- Characteristics: Self-fertile, sweet cherry with black fruits ripening in midsummer.
- Prunus ‘Sylvia’:
- Characteristics: Grafted onto dwarfing rootstock, compact variety suitable for large containers or wall growth.
- Bloom: Pale pink blossoms in spring followed by sweet cherries.
- Fertility: Self-fertile cultivar.
These cultivated varieties offer a range of flavors, colors, and sizes, catering to different preferences and garden spaces. Whether for ornamental value or fruit production, there’s a Prunus cultivar suited to various gardening needs.