Cherry Trees: Planting, Care, and Varieties

Cultural Information: Cherry trees require well-drained soil and consistent deep watering. Birds are particularly attracted to cherries, so protect your trees with “Bird X” netting, available in various widths and lengths in our garden center.

To manage diseases such as brown rot and blossom blight, spray with Ferti-lome copper spray after leaves fall in the autumn, followed by a fungicide application at first bloom and weekly during the bloom period. For mite control, apply a Ferti-lome Triple-Action Fungicide, Miticide, and Insect control in early spring before buds open.

Prune cherry trees mainly to maintain structure and shape. Note that Bing and Lambert cherries cannot cross-pollinate each other.

3- and 4-Way Cherry Trees:

• Pollination Requirements: Self-pollinating

• Fruit Description: Varies by type

• Flavor: Varies by type

• Maturity: Late June to late July (depending on variety)

• Additional Comments: Ideal for small to medium yards. Cherry trees typically require two trees to produce fruit, but three and four-way cherry trees bear multiple varieties on a single tree, saving space and ensuring pollination.

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Varieties:

• Bing:

  • Pollination: Requires a pollinator (Montmorency, Sam, or Van)

  • Fruit: Large, firm, dark burgundy-red

  • Flavor: Sweet and juicy

  • Maturity: Early to mid-July

  • Notes: Excellent for fresh eating and canning; the most common grocery store cherry.

• Lambert:

  • Pollination: Requires a late-blooming pollinator (Sam, Van, Stella, or Montmorency recommended).

  • Fruit: Very large, firm, dark red flesh, nearly black skin

  • Flavor: Sweet and juicy

  • Maturity: Mid to late July

  • Notes: Late-blooming with vigorous growth. Considered one of the highest-quality sweet cherries.

• Montmorency:

  • Pollination: Self-pollinating

  • Fruit: Medium to large, bright sparkling red

  • Flavor: Juicy, sweet-tart

  • Maturity: Mid to late July

  • Notes: Excellent for freezing, pies, cobblers, and canning. Vigorous and productive; also a reliable pollinator for Bing, Lambert, Royal Ann, and other sweet cherries.

• Royal Ann:

  • Pollination: Requires Sam, Van, or Montmorency

  • Fruit: Very large, crisp, light yellow with pink blush

  • Flavor: Sweet

  • Maturity: Early to mid-July

  • Notes: High-quality processing variety, ideal for pies and cobblers. Fruit has colorless juice and thin, attractive skin. Excellent flavor.

• Sam:

  • Pollination: Bing, Lambert, or Van

  • Fruit: Large, high-quality

  • Flavor: Sweet, full flavor

  • Maturity: Early to mid-July

  • Notes: Vigorous, upright, and spreading tree. Late bloom reduces risk of spring frost. Ripens just before Bing and serves as a good pollinator.

• Van:

  • Pollination: Bing, Lambert, or Royal Ann

  • Fruit: Medium size, shiny dark red

  • Flavor: Slightly more tart than Bing

  • Maturity: Early to mid-July

  • Notes: Very hardy and consistent producer. Flesh is firm and resists cracking, allowing the crop to be harvested all at once.