How to Grow Cherry Tree: Planting, Care & Harvest Tips
Let’s face it—cherries are nature’s candy. Learning how to grow a cherry tree is like unlocking a treasure chest of ruby red gems in your own backyard. Whether you’re dreaming of plucking a juicy cherry on a summer morning or baking a pie that would make your grandma proud, this guide walks you through every sweet step—from choosing the right tree to enjoying your harvest. Plus, we’ll share real life stories, helpful science, and expert backed tips to make your cherry growing journey a fruitful one.
Why Growing Cherries?
Why not? They’re delicious, packed with nutrients, and undeniably charming in any garden. But it goes deeper than that:
- Nutrient powerhouse: Cherries are rich in vitamins C, A, and potassium.
- Anti inflammatory & antioxidant rich: Help reduce muscle soreness and support heart health.
- Sleep enhancer: Contain melatonin, a natural hormone that promotes better sleep quality .
- Aesthetics: The blossoms alone are a sight worth growing for.
Real life story: My uncle from Dinajpur planted a sour cherry tree 6 years ago as a hobby. Today, it produces enough cherries for neighbors, jams, and pies. His tip? “Talk to your tree. It listens better than most people.”
Growing Cherries: Choosing the Right Tree
Cherries come in two main types, and choosing the right one depends on your climate, taste preferences, and how much work you want to put in.
- Sweet Cherries (Prunus avium):
- Best for eating fresh
- Popular varieties: Bing, Rainier, Lapins, Stella
- Require cross pollination (except self fertile types like Stella)
- Grow best in USDA zones 5–7
2. Sour Cherries (Prunus cerasus):
- Best for cooking, pies, and jams
- Popular varieties: Montmorency, Morello
- Self pollinating and easier to maintain
- More cold hardy (zones 4–6)
Pro Tip: New to cherry trees? Start with a Montmorency sour cherry—it’s forgiving, fruitful, and ideal for small spaces.
How to Grow Cherry Tree: Picking the Perfect Spot
Cherries are like sunbathers at the beach—they need full sun to thrive. Choose a location with:
- Good drainage: Cherries hate wet feet.
- Air circulation: Prevent fungal problems by keeping them breezy.
- Space: Trees like their personal bubble. Sweet cherries may need up to 40 feet of space, while dwarf varieties can do with just 10 feet.
Funny Line: Your cherry tree doesn’t like roommates. Give it space, and it’ll give you cherries .
Planting Your Cherry Tree
Planting cherries is like setting up a celebrity home—attention to detail matters.
- Timing: When the tree is dormant, plant in the early spring or late fall.
- Dig a Hole: Twice as wide as the root ball and deep enough so the graft union a little bump above the roots stays above ground.
- Backfill with Love: Use well drained soil and mix in organic compost.
- Water Like a Rockstar: Keep it hydrated, but don’t drown it.
Pro Tip: Mulch around the base but keep it a few inches away from the trunk. Nobody likes soggy ankles, not even trees.
Caring for Your Cherry Tree
Here’s where the real fun begins. Growing cherries is a bit like raising teenagers—lots of love, occasional discipline, and constant snacks (for you, not the tree).
1. Watering
Cherry trees love consistency. Give them about an inch of water per week, especially during dry spells.
Hint: If your finger feels dry after sticking it in the ground, it’s time to have a drink!
2. Fertilizing
Feed your tree in early spring with a balanced fertilizer. Too much nitrogen can lead to leaves instead of cherries.
Funny Line: No one invited leaves to the cherry party, so go easy on the fertilizer.
3. Pruning
Prune in late winter to maintain shape and encourage airflow. Remove dead, diseased, or crossing branches.
Real life tip from farmer Hafizur in Sylhet: “My tree doubled fruit after I started pruning from the inside out—just like cleaning a room, the corners matter.”
Pro Tip: Think of pruning as giving your tree a haircut—neat and tidy, not butchered.
Dealing with Pests and Diseases
Cherries are delicious, and unfortunately, bugs agree. Here are the usual suspects and how to deal with them:
- Aphids: Spray with neem oil or blast them with water.
- Cherry Fruit Fly: Use sticky traps or insecticidal soap.
- Powdery Mildew: Prune infected areas and apply a fungicide.
Aphids
Cherry Fruit Fly
Powdery Mildew
Funny Line: Your tree isn’t hosting a bug buffet—kick them out ASAP .
I have covered Diseases of Cherry Trees in detail in another article. For a more in depth understanding, please see ; Diseases of Cherry Trees
Pollination: The Birds and the Bees
Sweet cherries often need a pollinator buddy, while sour cherries are self sufficient like that friend who always travels solo. Check the variety to see if you need a partner tree.
Pro Tip: Plant compatible varieties within 50 feet for the best results.
Funny Line: If bees are the matchmakers of the garden, make sure your tree is ready to mingle.
Harvesting Cherries
After all your hard work, it’s time for the sweetest reward: harvest day. Cherries are usually ready in late spring or early summer, depending on the variety.
- Pick When Ripe: Cherries don’t ripen off the tree, so taste test first.
- Twist, Don’t Tug: To prevent harming the tree, carefully twist cherries from the stem.
Pro Tip: Eat some while picking—because you can.
Real life memory: I once picked cherries too early—still sour, too firm. My mom said, “Patience is sweeter than sugar.” She was right. The next week’s batch was divine.
Cherry Tree Growing Summary Table :
| Step | Details |
|---|---|
| Best Time to Plant | Late fall to early spring (when the tree is dormant) |
| Ideal Climate | Cool to temperate; chilling hours needed for most varieties |
| Sunlight Needs | Full sun (at least 6–8 hours daily) |
| Soil Requirements | Well drained, loamy soil; pH 6.0–7.0 |
| Spacing | 12–20 feet apart (standard); 8–10 feet (dwarf trees) |
| Watering | Regular deep watering; avoid waterlogging |
| Fertilization | Balanced fertilizer (10-10-10) in early spring |
| Pruning | Annually in late winter; remove dead/weak branches |
| Pollination | Some varieties need a second tree for cross pollination |
| Pests & Diseases | Watch for aphids, cherry fruit fly, brown rot, bacterial canker |
| Time to Bear Fruit | 3–5 years (depending on variety and care) |
| Harvest Time | Late spring to early summer (once cherries are firm and fully colored) |
Storing and Enjoying Your Harvest
Cherries are like celebrities—they don’t last long. Store them in the fridge for up to a week or freeze them for year round treats.
Top Uses for Cherries:
- Bake a classic cherry pie.
- Make cherry jam to spread the love.
- Snack straight from the fridge .
Bake a classic cherry pie
Cherry Jam
Snacks
Funny Line: If you don’t eat half your cherries while picking, are you even human?
Benefits of Growing Cherries
Physical Benefits:
- Anti inflammatory: Rich in anthocyanins and quercetin
- Sleep aid: Natural melatonin helps regulate sleep cycles
- Heart health: May reduce LDL cholesterol (Journal of Nutrition, 2006)
- Antioxidants: Help fight cellular aging
Funny Line: Your cherry tree is basically a nutritionist in disguise.h.
Conclusion: Your Cherry Adventure Starts Now
Growing cherry trees takes patience, care, and a sprinkle of humor. But the reward? Homegrown fruit that makes you feel like royalty.
Whether it’s your first sapling or your tenth, treat it with care—and don’t forget to enjoy the view in full bloom.
Final Pro Tip: Invest in a hammock. Watching your cherry tree sway in the breeze is good for the soul.
References
- USDA Plant Guide for Prunus avium and Prunus cerasus: https://plants.usda.gov
- National Institutes of Health – Cherry Nutrition Profile: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- Tufts University – Antioxidants in Fruits: https://nutrition.tufts.edu
- Journal of Nutrition (2006) – Cherry Compounds and Heart Health
FAQ: How to Grow a Cherry Tree
Yes, but it’s tricky. It may not produce fruit identical to the parent tree and takes years. Better to buy a grafted sapling for reliable fruit.
Grafted trees: 3–5 years
Seed grown trees: 7–10 years (if at all)
Sweet cherries: Usually yes, unless it’s a self pollinating variety
Sour cherries: Typically self fertile
Yes. Choose dwarf varieties like Stella or Compact Lambert. Use large containers, quality potting mix, and regular pruning.
Sweet cherries: USDA zones 5–7
Sour cherries: USDA zones 4–6
In late winter when the tree is dormant. Avoid pruning during wet seasons to reduce disease risk.
Thesis Link : https://saulibrary.edu.bd/daatj/public/uploads/BAU200601_19-Pp_5.pdf
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