Nothing says summer like a bowl full of sweet red juicy cherries straight from the tree. Cherry trees have been around for centuries providing an easy food source for birds and people alike. Sweet cherry trees (Prunus avium) are not difficult to grow in the home orchard. The toughest problem is usually the stripping of fruits by birds which is easily prevented by using netting over trees while fruit ripens.
Unlike tart cherries, sweet cherries need other trees to assist in pollination. Although there are those which have been bred to be self-fertile, they will do even better when planted in groups of three. This is not to say that they will not produce fruit without pollinators because they will if they have been bred to do so. Two such self-fertile sweet cherry trees are Black Gold ™ and Lapins.
Sweet Cherry Varieties
- Bing is the cherry most people think of when sweet cherries are mentioned. It is an early bloomer which produces large amounts of heart-shaped 1” fruits which are dark red to maroon when fully ripe, usually from mid-June to mid-summer. The flesh is firm and red-purple. Late spring frost may injure flower buds of Bing cherry. Bing is not self-fertile and should be planted with other early bloomers such as Black Tartarian, Heidelfingen, Schmidt and even the tart variety; Montmorency. Any cherry tree will do as long as it blooms during the same time period as Bing. Best when grown in USDA zones 5-7.
- Black Tartarian is an early bloomer which produces slightly pyramidal, heart-shaped 1” fruits which are dark red to purple-black when fully ripe, with tender dark red flesh. This is a very productive fruiter and may produce up to 4 bushels of cherries in a single season, mid June to early or mid-July, given optimal growing conditions. Black Tartarian is not self-fertile and should be planted with other early bloomers such as Bing, Heidelfingen, Schmidt and others. Best when grown in USDA zones 5-7.
- Emperor Francis has large, firm yellow with red blush fruits. The tree produces an abundance of crack resistant fruit in mid-summer. Emperor Francis is often chosen over the Napoleon cherry tree because it fruits on average a week earlier and is more crack resistant than the Napoleon. Emperor Francis is not self-fertile and should be grown with like-blooming cherry trees for pollination. Best when grown in USDA zones 5-8.
- Hedelfingen is a large dark red cherry of fine quality. Flesh is firm and very sweet. Hedelfingen is a heavy fruiter and is early blooming. It is very crack resistant, more so than most other sweet cherries. This tree is not self-fertile and should be planted with other early bloomers such as Bing and Black Tartarian. Best when grown in USDA zones 5-7.
- Napoleon bears yellow-golden fruits with a bright red cheek. Flesh is firm, sweet and juicy. Many nurseries recommend this tree for the home orchard due to its good canning quality. Best when grown in USDA zones 5-8.
- Schmidts Bigarreau is an extra large mid season cherry with very dark red, medium sized fruits. The fruit of Schmidts Bigarreau forms clusters on the branches. Flesh is tender, juicy and sweet. Typically ripens in mid-July. This cherry tree is not self-fertile and so needs other mid season cherries for pollination. Best when grown in USDA zones 5-8.
More Reading
A look at tart cherries, “Choosing Tart Cherry Trees” and tips for growing cherry trees; “How to Grow a Cherry Tree.”
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