fruiting cherry tree

Cherry trees produce stunning spring blooms and delicious, sweet or tart summer fruit. The most commonly grown fruiting cherries are sweet (Prunus avium) and sour (Prunus cerasus). Sweet cherry trees produce large, juicy fruit. They are more susceptible to late spring frosts, so it’s best to plant them in a protected site with well-drained soil (a little winter protection helps, too). Most sweet varieties require cross-pollination, so they need to be planted near a compatible tree to yield fruit. Tart cherry trees grow very well in our Northeast Ohio climate and possess good disease resistance. Many are self-pollinating, so they don’t require a second tree to yield fruit, but their harvest will improve with another similar cherry nearby. Tart cherry trees tend to stay smaller than sweet cherry trees, making them an easy choice for home landscapes. Both types grow best in full sun, well-drained soil, and with plenty of space for good air circulation to help prevent disease. Both types begin bearing fruit in 3-5 years.

The best way to control reoccurring insect and disease problems on fruiting trees and shrubs is with a treatment schedule, starting as early as March. Learn more about a fruit tree treatment schedule. View our online selection of cherry tree varieties available now.

Plant in well-drained, nutrient rich, amended soil. Water well after planting; maintain 1” of water once a week the first year. Prune in late winter to control size and form or after flowering. Remove dead or damaged stems at any time. Feed at least twice during the growing season with a slow release fertilizer in early spring and again mid-summer. Follow label instructions. Mulch 2″ to suppress weeds, retain moisture and protect against extremes of soil temperature. A regular spraying schedule to reduce insects and disease is recommended.