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Cherry

Prunus avium

Fruit

Sweet cherry trees are magnificent ornamental trees that produce abundant crops of sweet, rich fruit in early summer. Most sweet cherries require cross-pollination with a compatible variety, though self-fertile cultivars like Stella are widely available.

Growing Conditions

Sunlight

Full Sun

Water Needs

Moderate

Soil

Deep, well-draining, fertile loam; pH 6.0–6.8

Spacing

20–30 feet (standard); 8–12 feet (dwarf)

Days to Maturity

3–5 years to first significant harvest

Growing Zones

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13

Thrives in USDA Zones 4–8

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Keep Away From

No known antagonists

When to Plant

  • Transplant

    Bare-root trees in late autumn to early spring while dormant

  • Harvest

    Early summer; harvest with stalks attached to extend shelf life

Organic Growing Tips

  • Net trees as fruit begins to colour — birds can strip an entire crop in hours.

  • Plant sweet alyssum and borage below to attract hoverflies and parasitic wasps.

  • Paint pruning wounds with pruning sealant to prevent bacterial canker entering fresh cuts.

  • Mulch out to the drip line with compost annually; cherries are heavy feeders.

Common Pests

  • Birds
  • Cherry Fruit Fly
  • Aphids
  • Brown Rot
  • Bacterial Canker

All pest management in Garden uses safe, organic, non-toxic methods only. No synthetic pesticides, ever.