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Sweet Cherry

Prunus avium

Fruit treeDeciduousFrost HardyToxic

Sweet cherry (Prunus avium) is a vigorous deciduous fruit tree of the rose family, native from Europe to western Asia, that bears white blossom in spring and sweet red to dark purple drupes in early summer. Grafted on seedling rootstocks it forms a large, broad round crown, while on weak rootstocks such as GiSelA 5 it can be kept as a small spindle tree.

Overview

Height6–9 m
Crown diameter4.5–9 m
Root systemHeart-rooted
ShadeMedium shade
SunFull Sun
WaterMedium
HardinessUSDA zones 3–8
Chilling requirement500–1450 hours between 0 and 7 °C

Seasons

Flowering (Central Europe)Mar, Apr
Harvest (Central Europe)Jun, Jul

Planting time for bare-root trees. Container trees can be planted whenever the soil is workable.

Grafted forms

FormHeightCrown diameter
Spindle bush3–4 m2.5–3.5 m
Half-standard4–5 m6–8 m
Standard6–9 m8–10 m

Typical sizes; the rootstock, variety and pruning decide the actual size.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

None

Bad Companions

None

Only relations with a documented cause are listed.

Toxicity

SeverityModerately toxic
Toxic toHumans, Dogs, Cats

Seeds (kernels), leaves, stems and fruit stalks contain cyanogenic glycosides (amygdalin, prunasin) that release hydrogen cyanide; wilting leaves are especially dangerous to animals. The fruit flesh is edible; swallowing a few whole pits is not considered poisoning, crushed kernels are.

Planting Tips

LocationFull sun on a warm site; avoid frost pockets because the early blossom is frost-sensitive. Plan a lot of space for half and standard trees, or choose a weak rootstock (GiSelA 5, GiSelA 3) for small gardens.
SoilDeep, well-drained, not too calcareous soil; does not tolerate cold, compacted or waterlogged soils (gummosis, root rot). RHS gives an ideal pH of about 6.5-6.7.
WateringWater new trees in dry spells for at least the first year; trees on weak rootstocks need watering in drought. Established trees on vigorous rootstocks rarely need water; heavy watering or rain near ripening makes fruit split.
FertilizingUsually no extra feeding on mulched soil; give a general granular fertiliser in early spring only if growth or crops are poor.

Care Tip: Prune moderately each year in summer right after harvest (better wound healing, less gummosis) and keep the crown open. Early-ripening cultivars (up to cherry week 3-4) usually escape cherry fruit fly maggots; nets protect against birds. Many sweet cherry cultivars are self-sterile and need a second, compatible sweet cherry cultivar flowering at the same time as pollinator (e.g. 'Regina' with 'Sylvia' or 'Kordia').

Sources