How To Plant Cherries | Grow Your Own Orchard

Planting cherries successfully requires careful consideration of variety, site selection, and proper technique to ensure a thriving, fruit-bearing tree.

There’s a unique satisfaction that comes from plucking a ripe cherry directly from your own tree, a flavor far superior to anything from the grocery store. Growing these ruby-red gems offers a delightful connection to your food, transforming your backyard into a source of fresh ingredients for pies, jams, or simply enjoying out of hand. Let’s delve into the specifics of cultivating your own cherry trees, moving from selecting the right type to nurturing them into prolific producers.

Choosing Your Cherry Variety: Sweet vs. Tart

The first step in your cherry-growing adventure is deciding between sweet and tart varieties, much like choosing between a dessert wine and a crisp cooking apple. Each type has distinct characteristics and culinary uses.

Sweet Cherries: The Dessert Stars

Sweet cherries are typically eaten fresh, offering a burst of sugary juiciness. Most sweet cherry varieties require cross-pollination, meaning you’ll need at least two different, compatible varieties planted relatively close to each other to ensure fruit set.

• Bing: A classic, large, firm, dark red cherry with exceptional sweetness. It’s a popular choice but requires a specific pollinator.
• Rainier: Distinctive yellow-red blush, very sweet, and tender. Rainiers are more delicate and have a shorter shelf life than Bings.
• Chelan: An early-season dark sweet cherry, known for its firmness and crack resistance. It’s a good choice for areas with unpredictable spring weather.
• Stella: One of the few self-fertile sweet cherry varieties, meaning it can produce fruit without a second tree for pollination. It’s a good option for smaller spaces.
• Sweet cherries generally require 700-1000 chill hours, which are hours below 45°F (7°C) during winter dormancy.

Tart Cherries: The Baking Workhorses

Tart cherries, also known as sour or pie cherries, are too acidic for most people to enjoy fresh but become wonderfully flavorful when cooked. They are the backbone of many beloved baked goods and preserves.

• Montmorency: The most widely grown tart cherry in North America, known for its bright red skin and flesh. It’s excellent for pies, preserves, and drying.
• Balaton: A Hungarian variety with darker flesh and a slightly sweeter-tart flavor than Montmorency. It retains its color well when cooked.
• Most tart cherry varieties are self-fertile, simplifying planting as only one tree is needed to produce fruit.
• Tart cherries typically require fewer chill hours, often in the range of 800-1500 hours, making them suitable for a broader range of climates.

Site Selection: The Foundation of Flavor

Just as a chef selects the perfect cut of meat, choosing the right location for your cherry tree is paramount. A well-chosen site provides the ideal conditions for growth and abundant fruit production.

• Sunlight: Cherry trees need at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily. Think of it like slow-roasting a prime cut; consistent, ample heat is key for developing rich flavors and sugars in the fruit.
• Soil Drainage: Excellent drainage is non-negotiable. Cherries despise “wet feet,” which can lead to root rot. If your soil holds water like a sponge, consider planting on a raised mound or improving drainage significantly.
• Air Circulation: A site with good air movement helps dry leaves quickly, reducing the risk of fungal diseases. Avoid planting in low-lying areas where cold air and moisture can settle.
• Protection from Late Frosts: Cherry blossoms are vulnerable to late spring frosts. A slight slope can help cold air drain away, or planting near a building that radiates heat can offer some protection.
• Space: Consider the mature size of your chosen variety and rootstock. Standard trees require significant space, while dwarf and semi-dwarf options are better for smaller yards.

Soil Preparation: Feeding Your Future Harvest

Think of your soil as the pantry for your cherry tree; a well-stocked and balanced pantry leads to delicious results. Proper soil preparation is a critical step that pays dividends for years.

Before planting, conducting a soil test is highly recommended. This provides a detailed analysis of your soil’s current nutrient levels and pH, guiding your amendments. Many local extension offices offer this service, providing actionable recommendations for your specific soil profile. The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service offers extensive resources on soil health and testing, which are fundamental for successful agriculture.

Cherries thrive in well-drained, loamy soil rich in organic matter. If your soil is heavy clay or very sandy, significant amendments will be necessary.

• Amending Soil: Incorporate generous amounts of organic material like compost, aged manure, or peat moss into the planting area. This improves soil structure, drainage, and nutrient retention.
• pH Levels: Cherry trees prefer a slightly acidic to neutral soil pH, ideally between 6.0 and 7.0. A soil test will indicate if you need to adjust your pH.
• To lower pH (make more acidic), add elemental sulfur. To raise pH (make more alkaline), add agricultural lime. Follow soil test recommendations carefully, as over-application can harm the tree.

Table 1: Ideal Soil pH for Cherry Varieties

How To Plant Cherries for a Bountiful Harvest

The actual planting process is where your culinary vision for future cherry pies truly begins. Executing this step correctly ensures a strong start for your tree.

Bare-Root vs. Container Trees

Cherry trees are typically purchased either bare-root or in containers, each with its own advantages.

• Bare-Root Trees: These are dormant trees sold without soil around their roots. They are often less expensive and lighter to transport. Plant bare-root trees in early spring while they are still dormant, as soon as the soil is workable. Upon arrival, keep roots moist and plant quickly.
• Container Trees: These trees are grown in pots with soil and can be planted throughout the growing season, though spring or fall planting is generally best. They experience less transplant shock but can be heavier and more expensive.

The Planting Process

Whether bare-root or container-grown, the fundamental steps for planting remain consistent.

1. Dig the Hole: Dig a hole that is twice as wide as the root ball and just deep enough so that the graft union (the swollen area where the scion meets the rootstock) will be 2-4 inches above the soil line after planting. This prevents the scion from rooting and losing the benefits of the rootstock.
2. Prepare the Roots: For bare-root trees, gently spread the roots out. For container trees, carefully remove the tree from its pot and gently tease apart any circling roots to encourage outward growth.
3. Set the Tree: Place the tree in the center of the hole, ensuring the graft union is positioned correctly above the soil line. Use a stick or shovel handle across the hole to gauge the depth.
4. Backfill: Begin filling the hole with the amended soil, gently firming it around the roots to eliminate air pockets. Avoid compacting the soil too much, as roots need oxygen.
5. Water Thoroughly: Once the hole is half-filled, water generously to settle the soil around the roots. Continue filling the hole with soil and water again until the soil is thoroughly moist.
6. Create a Water Basin: Form a small berm of soil around the edge of the planting hole to create a basin. This helps retain water directly over the root zone.
7. Mulch: Apply a 2-4 inch layer of organic mulch (like wood chips or straw) around the base of the tree, keeping it a few inches away from the trunk. Mulch conserves moisture, suppresses weeds, and moderates soil temperature.

Initial Care: Nurturing Your Young Tree

Just like a delicate sauce needs constant attention, your newly planted cherry tree requires diligent care to establish a strong root system and grow vigorously.

• Watering: Consistent watering is crucial during the first year. Water deeply and regularly, especially during dry spells, aiming for about 1 inch of water per week, either from rain or irrigation. Check soil moisture by feeling a few inches down; water when the top few inches feel dry.
• Fertilization: Avoid fertilizing at the time of planting, as this can burn new roots. Wait until the tree shows signs of new growth, typically a few weeks after planting. Then, apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer according to product instructions, or use a compost tea.
• Pruning for Shape: For bare-root trees, prune the central leader back by about one-third and select 3-5 well-spaced scaffold branches to form the main structure. Remove any broken or crossing branches. This initial pruning establishes a strong framework for future fruit production.
• Pest and Disease Prevention: Inspect your young tree regularly for any signs of pests or diseases. Early detection is key for effective management. Maintain good air circulation and sanitation around the tree.

Table 2: Young Cherry Tree Care Schedule (First Year)

Pollination Pointers: Ensuring a Sweet Yield

Understanding pollination is like knowing the secret ingredient for a perfect recipe; it makes all the difference in achieving a successful fruit set.

Many sweet cherry varieties are not self-fertile and require another compatible variety for cross-pollination. This means pollen from a different, genetically distinct cherry tree must reach the flowers of your tree. Tart cherries, on the other hand, are largely self-fertile, producing fruit from their own pollen.

• Compatible Varieties: When planting sweet cherries, consult nursery guides or university extension resources to ensure you select varieties that can pollinate each other. Some varieties are universal pollinators, while others have specific partners.
• Proximity: For effective cross-pollination, compatible trees should be planted within 50-100 feet of each other.
• Role of Bees: Bees are the primary pollinators for cherry trees. Encourage bee activity by avoiding pesticides during bloom time and planting pollinator-friendly flowers nearby.
• Grafted Trees: Some nurseries offer “combo” cherry trees with multiple compatible varieties grafted onto a single rootstock. This is an excellent solution for smaller spaces where planting multiple full-sized trees isn’t feasible.

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