Cherry trees - sour

Sour (or tart) cherry trees bear fruit on numerous fruiting spurs and on one year old lateral (or side) branches.

It is important to keep a tart cherry tree growing vigorously – studies have shown that if less than seven inches of new branch grown is made in a season, that wood will bear almost all fruit buds and the next year the wood will become nonproductive since no vegetative buds were borne to continue renewal of one-year wood. Moderate annual pruning will encourage continued production of fruiting wood.

Natural open and spreading growth habit benefits from being trained to a central leader. Central leader training for cherry different than other trees so refer to Backyard Orchardist for details.


Mahaleb rootstock produces slightly more compact tree than Mazzard rootstock; also more productive, has better winter hardiness, tolerant of drought conditions.

Colt semi-dwarf rootstock is a possible choice for limited spaces.


"All cherry trees are self-fruitful so need to plant only one." Backyard Orchardist;
"Most require a pollinator." Peaceful Valley
SO WHICH ONE IS IT -- POLLINATOR OR NO POLLINATOR? Answer: Both -- it looks like the Backyard Orchardist author mentioned only self-pollinators, while Peaceful Valley catalog includes both self-pollinators and those that need another pollinator.

Average years to bearing – 4-5 years
Average yield per tree – 30 pounds at around 7 years; 50-100 pounds at maturity
Space needed per tree – 15-20 foot circle
Average mature height – 20+ feet
Days from bloom to harvest – 60 days
Pollination requirements – self fertile, only Morello benefits from cross pollination
Most common pruning system – modified central leader
Commonly used rootstock – Mahaleb
Common insect pests – Curculio, cherry fruit fly
Common diseases – Brown rot, leaf spot
Useful life – 15 years
Number of trees for a family of four – 1 tree
Bears fruit on spurs and one year old wood

English Morello Cherry - sour; commonly grown in Europe; matures just before the Montmorency and is able to hang on the tree longer without losing quality. It is quite susceptible to cherry leaf spot fungus; not necessary but benefits from cross-pollination

Early Richmond -sour, early ripening variety that is harvested about ten days ahead on Montmorency; fruit is smaller and flavor is more acidic; typically yields less than the same size Montmorency tree.

Lapin Cherry - sweet but consider because it's interesting and seems to be something we could grow here; self-pollinator

Montmorency - most common variety so not unique, but is reliable; ripens in mid to late July in the major Great Lakes cherry producing regions. ripens in late-July; requires 900 to 1000 chill hours; self pollinator


North Star - The Dwarf North Star is a medium sized bright red to mahogany skinned cherry, with yellow, juicy tender flesh. This attractive small tree, naturally, only grows 8 to 10 feet; highly productive sour cherry that is extremely cold hardy and disease resistant; prolonged ripening period from late June to late July; 1000 chill hours and self-fertile

Meteor - ORDERED THIS VARIETY FROM JUNG -- COULDN'T FIND WEST COAST VENDOR. cold hardy, late blooming; compact size; available also from Jung Seed (Randolph, WI - not from the region recommended by Co-op),Zones 4-8 A hardy red cherry with large, tart, juicy and completely freestone fruits. Ripens in late July. The tree is vigorous, moderately spreading and grows only 10 to 12 feet tall. Resistant to leaf spot, the most common disease of cherry foliage. Annually productive. Highly recommended for gardeners and small orchards. Also an attractive ornamental. 3 to 5 ft bareroot trees.

Carmin Jewel Cherry