How to grow Cherry tree
Prunus
Tart ones are bulletproof — net the birds out.
Tart (pie) cherries are the easiest cherry to grow — hardy and self-pollinating. Sweet cherries are fussier and crack in rain. Either way, net the tree before birds strip it overnight.
Grow Cherry tree with step-by-step help for your exact yard.
Start free in Seededly →Cherry tree at a glance
| Sun | Full sun |
|---|---|
| Soil pH | 6.0–7.0 |
| Spacing | 15–20 ft |
| Harvest | Jun → Jul |
| Plant | Spring |
| Pollination | Tart self-fertile |
How to grow Cherry tree, step by step
Choose tart or sweet
- Tart cherries are hardy, self-fertile and almost foolproof — start here.
- Sweet cherries need shelter and often a second variety; pick a self-fertile one like Stella.
Plant in spring
- Full sun, very well-drained soil — cherries hate wet feet.
- Stake young trees and keep them watered.
Net & harvest
- Drape netting before the fruit colors or birds will beat you to all of it.
- Pick when fully colored and sweet; tart cherries are best cooked.
Cherry tree problems & fixes
Cherry tree — Birds took everything: what's wrong and how do I fix it?
They always will — net the whole tree before the fruit starts to color.
Cherry tree — Cherries split open: what's wrong and how do I fix it?
Rain on ripe sweet cherries. Tart types resist it; harvest promptly after rain.
Cherry tree — Fruit rots on the branch: what's wrong and how do I fix it?
Brown rot in humid weather. Remove rotted fruit and improve airflow with pruning.
Recommended cherry tree varieties
- Montmorency — Top pick. Tart, self-fertile and very hardy — the classic pie cherry, no partner needed.
- Balaton — Tart. Darker, sweeter-tart fruit; also self-fertile and hardy.
- Stella — Sweet. A self-fertile sweet cherry — the easiest sweet type to start with.
Cherry tree month-by-month
| January | Dormant — order. |
|---|---|
| February | Prune in dry weather. |
| March | Plant new trees. |
| April | Bloom. |
| May | Fruit sets; net soon. |
| June | Sweet cherries ripen — net! |
| July | Tart cherries; main harvest. |
| August | Tidy up after fruiting. |
| September | Watch for disease in damp spells. |
| October | Rake leaves. |
| November | Mulch roots. |
| December | Dormant. |