Sweet Cherry Care Guide

Sweet Cherry Care Guide

Overview of Sweet Cherry Trees

Sweet cherries, unlike other fruit trees like apples, peaches, and plums, are generally easier to grow. This is because they ripen early in the season, often just 60 days after bloom, which reduces the number of pest issues. While they do require regular care, especially for pest and disease control, sweet cherries are a rewarding addition to the landscape with their beautiful blossoms, delicious fruit, and overall ornamental value. Here's everything you need to know about growing sweet cherries in your landscape.

Adaptation and Climate Needs

• Native Regions: Sweet cherries are native to cooler mountain regions, such as parts of Germany and certain regions of North America like Northern California, Michigan, and New York. In Canada, they thrive in Southern Ontario and Summerland, British Columbia.
• Climate Preferences: They are best suited to cooler, temperate climates, though certain rootstocks and cultivars are becoming more adaptable to warmer, more humid conditions. Hotter climates, like those in the deep South, require specific care and the right cultivars to ensure successful growth.

Planting Sweet Cherry Trees

1. Choosing the Tree: Sweet cherry trees are available in various pot sizes (gallon, 3-gallon, 5-gallon, 7-gallon), and potted trees tend to transplant better and are more forgiving than bare-root trees.
2. Planting Site:
• Soil Preparation: Aerate and loosen the soil to a depth of 14 inches and a width of about 3 feet. Cherry trees have a taproot system, so well-drained soil is crucial.
• Soil Additives: Avoid adding compost, manure, or fertilizer directly to the planting hole. However, minerals such as rock phosphate or greensand can be mixed in the surrounding soil.
• Spacing: Space trees far enough apart to allow for air circulation and room for growth.
3. Watering: Water the tree thoroughly after planting and continue to monitor its water needs throughout the growing season. Newly planted trees need consistent watering until established but must not sit in soggy soil.
4. Mulch: Apply 2-4 inches of mulch to retain moisture and regulate soil temperature. Avoid placing mulch directly around the base of the tree trunk to prevent rot.
5. Trunk Guard: protecting a young trunk from potential damage is essential, especially in Winter. Rabbits, voles, and deer may nibble on the trunk and cause permanent damage to the bark which can affect the overall health of the tree or even girdle and kill it. We recommend using a piece of metal window screen, fashioning it into a tube, and stapling it together around the trunk. This gives adequate protection and allows for good airflow.

Watering and Irrigation

• Water thoroughly at planting time. Afterward, ensure the tree is consistently watered, particularly during dry spells. However, avoid overwatering, as cherries don’t tolerate persistent wet conditions.
• Drought Tolerance: Cherry trees are relatively drought-tolerant once established, preferring dry spells between watering rather than constant moisture.

Pollination

• Self-fertility: While many sweet cherry varieties require cross-pollination, there are some self-fertile varieties like Stella, Sweetheart, and White Gold. These can pollinate themselves but will still benefit from cross-pollination with other varieties.
• Timing: Cherry blossoms have a short bloom window (about 10-14 days), so it’s essential to plant varieties with overlapping bloom times to ensure successful pollination.

Pruning Cherry Trees

• Young Trees: When planting young trees, aim for evenly spaced branches at about 6-inch intervals along the main trunk. If the tree arrives as a whip (no branching), let the buds develop and select the best-placed shoots.
• Mature Trees: Once the tree is established, pruning is minimal. Some light shaping may be needed to remove crowded branches or improve airflow.

Disease Control

1. Sweet cherries do best in arid climates, so there are some significant considerations when trying to grow them in more humid environments. Since they are suited to drier conditions, they don’t possess the defenses to ward off naturally occurring fungus and bacteria as well as plants native to the region. This should not deter you from trying to grow cherries in your region, but it’s important to have an understanding of the common realities that you’ll face. 
2. Brown Rot & Fungal Diseases: Cherry trees, especially in wet environments, are susceptible to brown rot, which can ruin fruit. Always monitor your trees closely during rainy periods, as excessive moisture encourages fungal infections. Most commercial growers have to spray heavily to prevent this damage. Anti-fungal sprays are an option for the home gardener too, though they are labor intensive. Brown rot risk can vary from year to year, in drier seasons, growers may experience fewer problems. In general, it is good to have an understanding that some years may be better than others for fruit production, no matter what you’re growing. 
• Regalia (Fungal & Bacterial Disease Control): Regalia, a plant defense stimulator made from giant knotweed, may be used to combat various fungal and bacterial diseases, including brown rot and powdery mildew. We do not currently use it here at the nursery so we can not speak on it’s overall effectiveness. 
• Preventive Treatments: Begin spraying Regalia within two weeks of petal fall and continue at 7-14 day intervals, depending on disease pressure.
3. Insects: Sweet cherries are susceptible to plum curculio damage, primarily in the Eastern US. The small weevil-like insect can lay as many as 400 eggs, one to each fruit. The eggs then hatch and eat their way through the fruit. The female curculio are acting at petal fall and 4-6 weeks after. 
• Surround: Surround is a Kaolin clay-based spray used to combat plum curculio. Trees are coated with Surround at petal fall and again weekly until the insect is no longer active. Three sprays at weekly intervals is typically sufficient, a couple more wouldn’t hurt. Surround deters the insect from laying eggs on the tree and should take care of most potential insect damage. We do sell Surround in store or online.
• Black aphids will sometimes attack new growth. Use neem or horticultural oil to catch these early. Japanese beetles are also a concern with younger trees and we have found Beetle Gone to be effective.

Rootstocks

• Rootstock Choices:
• Mahaleb: Struggles in hot, wet climates, particularly in sandy soils.
• Gisela 5, Krymsk 5: Best suited for hot and humid climates. These rootstocks are drought-tolerant, heat-resistant, and perform well in moist conditions.
• Mazzard and Colt: Larger rootstocks, but slower to establish. Once established, they are robust and continue to grow well.

 

Location and Site Considerations

• Air Circulation: For healthy cherry trees, air movement is crucial to reduce the risks of fungal diseases like brown rot and leaf spot. Plant trees in open areas, away from tall trees or structures that could impede airflow.
• Frost Protection: Plant your trees in higher elevations to protect them from frost. In warmer climates, some afternoon shade is beneficial, but ensure the tree gets enough sunlight for optimal fruit production.
• Predators: Birds, deer, squirrels, and raccoons are common threats to cherry harvests. Consider using netting, bird deterrents, or planting trees near areas with human activity to reduce damage.

Harvesting Sweet Cherries

• Harvest Time: Cherries are ready for harvest when they reach their full color. They will continue to ripen and sweeten for about two weeks on the tree but will not sweeten after picking.
• Handling: A cherry pitter is an invaluable tool for pitting cherries for freezing or drying. Fresh cherries can be frozen for winter use or dried for long-term storage.

Conclusion

Sweet cherries can be a rewarding fruit to grow, but they require attention, especially when it comes to climate conditions, soil health, pollination, and disease management. With the right care, these beautiful trees will provide years of delicious fruit and ornamental value to your landscape. Keep in mind that patience and persistence are key when growing cherries, particularly in regions outside their traditional growing zones.