Depending on the type, cherry trees can be grown in various climates and growing zones. But most cherry trees need a certain number of chill hours to make fruit, which limits where they can grow in some places. Chill hours are when the plant needs to be below 45°F before it can start to grow again.
In general, sweet cherry trees need 700–1000 chill hours, while sour cherry trees need 1000–1200 chill hours. But now, there are cherry varieties that only need a few hours of chilling and can be managed to grow in warmer climates. I’ll show you some examples of these below.
Generally, USDA zones 5–9 are best for growing sweet cherry trees, while zones 4–8 are best for growing sour cherry trees. But some types may do better in certain climates and growing conditions than others, so it’s important to research and choose a type that will do well in your area.
Visit your favorite nursery to see what trees are available that will grow well in your area. You can bet that if they don’t have a certain kind of tree, it’s because it wouldn’t do well in your area.
Sweet Cherry Trees
Fruit from sweet cherry trees is big, firm, sweet, and juicy. Most of the time, they are grown for their fruit, but they can also be grown for their pretty flowers.
Sour Cherry Trees
Sour cherry trees make fruit that is smaller, softer, and has a tart, tangy taste. These are the traditional cherries used in pies and other sweets. They are often used in baking. This article will tell you how to plant cherry tree seeds and saplings in a general way.
How to Plant a Baby Cherry Tree
Cherry trees need to be in a spot that gets full sun for at least 6–8 hours a day and has soil that drains well. Cherry trees do best in slightly acidic soil with a pH between 6.0 and 6.8. However, they are adaptable and can grow in various soil types and pH levels.
Strong winds can hurt the tree and its fruit, so the spot should be out of the way. It’s easy to put a cherry tree sapling in the ground. Here’s a step-by-step explanation of how to do it:
- Dig a hole bigger and deeper than the sapling’s root ball. The hole needs to be deep enough so that the top of the root ball is at the same level as the soil around it.
- If the soil is poor or doesn’t drain well, you can improve its structure and fertility by adding compost or other organic matter.
- Carefully remove the sapling from its container and put it in the hole for planting. Secure the top of the root ball at the same level as the soil around it. Fill the hole with dirt and pack it gently around the tree’s base.
- Give the tree a deep drink of water right after planting it to help the soil settle and ensure the roots make good contact with the soil.
- Put a layer of organic mulch (like wood chips or shredded bark) all around the tree’s base, being careful not to pile it up against the trunk. The mulch will help keep the soil moist, stop weeds from growing, and keep the temperature even.
Maintain the soil moist but not soggy, and water it regularly when it’s dry. Feed the tree based on its needs, and prune it as necessary to maintain its shape and help it grow healthily.
Instructions for Planting Cherry Seeds
Growing a cherry tree from seed could not be a good idea because it can take a few years to bear fruit. Also, the fruit might not be as good as the fruit from the parent tree. Buying a young tree from a reputable nursery is best if you want a certain kind of cherries. Planting a tree from a seed is fun and educational if you’re in it for the long haul. Here’s how to plant cherry seeds:
- Get fresh, ripe cherries from a healthy, disease-free tree. Take the fruit’s flesh off and wash the seeds very well.
- Cherry seeds need a cold period to break their dormancy and get them to grow. This is called stratification. To stratify the seeds, wrap them in a damp paper towel or cloth and put them in a plastic bag that you can close. Keep the seeds moist by putting the bag in the fridge for at least 8–10 weeks.
- Pick a place that brings full sun and drains well. Clear the area where you will plant weeds and other trash, and break up the soil to a depth of about 12 inches.
- Once the seeds have indeed been stratified, take them out of the bag and plant them in the soil that has been prepared. The seeds should be implanted about an inch thick and 2–3 inches apart. Put soil over the seeds and give them a lot of water.
- Maintain moist but not soggy soil, and regularly water it as needed. It can take a few weeks for cherry seeds to grow, so be patient. Once the seeds have sprouted and the seedlings have come up, separate them so that only the strongest seedling is left in each planting spot.
- Once the seedlings are about 8–10 inches tall, they can be moved to where they will live for good. Please pick a spot with full sun and good drainage, and plant the seedling at the same depth it was growing. Give the seedling a lot of water and keep doing so until it gets established.
It’s easier to keep people from getting sick than to treat them once they do. By giving your cherry tree the right care and food and removing infected plant parts immediately, you can help stop diseases from spreading and hurting your tree.
How to Grow for a Plenteous Harvest
Following are a few tips for picking cherries successfully:
- Choose a type of cherry tree that will grow well in your area and climate. Ensure the form you select doesn’t get sick easily and has a history of making good fruit.
- During the growing season, give your cherry tree the care it needs. This includes watering, fertilizing, and getting rid of pests regularly.
- During the dormant season, you should prune your cherry tree to help it make more fruit and stay healthy. Take away any wood that is dead or sick, as well as any branches that are touching each other.
- Birds and other pests could eat the fruit, so cover the tree with netting or use other ways to eliminate pests. Take away any fruit that is broken or sick right away to stop the disease from spreading.
- Pick your cherries when they are fully ripe, but even before they fall off the tree because they are too ripe. The exact time depends on the type of cherry, but most are ready to pick in springtime or early summer.
- When picking the fruit, avoid damaging or breaking the cherries by bruising them. To get the cherries off the tree, gently twist them or cut the stems with scissors.
