2192 Route 102 Hwy Lincoln NB, E3B 8N1

www.scottsnursery.nb.ca (506) 458-9208

Toll Free 1 800 561 7268

Cherries in the home garden: Cherries are one of the first stone fruits of the summer to blossom and produce fruit. Both sweet and sour cher-ries have numerous health benefits, containing a unique package of antioxidants and phytonutrients. In fact, cherries contain higher levels of antioxidants than most other fruits and vegetables. They have strong anti-inflammatory compounds which are said to have positive effects on conditions such as gout and arthritis. They also have heart health benefits. Cherries are high in potassium, Vitamin C and B complex, and minerals. Sweet cherries are usually eaten fresh and the sour varieties used more for baking, juices, jams, and preserves. Site Requirements: Cherries require a carefully chosen site in full sun with rich, freely draining soil. They like a spot with good air circulation to lessen the chances of frost damage and fungal disease problems. They absolutely cannot have any standing water near the root zone. In general, sour cherries are hardier than sweet cherries. Avoid low areas or places near buildings or shade trees because cold air tends to settle more in these types of locations. Planting: Once the site is free from weeds, a hole should be prepared that is about twice the size of the root mass. A hand-ful of bone meal can be worked into the soil at the bottom of the planting hole. Prune any damaged roots, spread roots out evenly in the hole and begin to backfill with loose soil. Firm the soil as you go to prevent any air pock-ets from forming and make sure to water thoroughly. Try to maintain a 4’ diameter area around the tree free from weeds. Semi dwarf varieties can be spaced 12-15’ apart. Sweet cherries require a spacing of 20’ to ensure adequate air circulation. Fertilizer: Cherry trees don’t require a great deal of fertilizer. A sprinkling of blood and bone meal or aged manure in early spring will do the trick. If you prefer a chemical fertilizer, a well balanced blend such as 10-10-10 is best. Be sure to apply evenly out as far as the drip line of the tree and not too close to the trunk. Make sure not to fertilize past midsummer as this results in lush growth that does not have time to harden off before winter.

Water: Young trees should be watered at the roots every 10 days to a depth of 30 cm until harvest for the first few sea-sons. Mature trees need water only every 2-4 weeks, maybe more during periods of extreme drought. Trees can tolerate a fair amount of dryness though and they should be watered less after harvest to prepare the tree for win-ter. Pollination: In order to ensure a crop of cherries you must have either one self pollinating variety or two different varieties that bloom at the same time to cross pollinate. All sour cherries are self fruitful, or can pollinate themselves. Most sweet cherry varieties are self unfruitful and therefore require a pollinator. Some varieties such as Bing are not dependable as a pollen source for other varieties. On the other hand, some sweet varieties such as Lapins, Skeena, and Stella are self fruitful but can also act as a universal pollen source for other sweet cherry varieties. There are exceptions to every rule of course, Stella does not always work as a pollinator for Bing in all areas. Consideration must also be given when choosing two compatible varieties that they bloom at the same time. Harvest: Cherries begin to produce in their third or fourth year. Depending on the variety, the harvest time is July through August. The actual harvest period for one tree lasts about a week. Cherries should not be picked until they are fully ripe since they will not ripen any further after picking. For red varieties, leave cherries on the tree until they develop a mahogany to black color. Waiting until they are fully ripe is important to flavor because the sugar con-tent rises dramatically in the last few days of ripening. A fully mature standard size tree will yield 30-50 quarts of cherries. A dwarf mature tree will give about 10-15 quarts. Care must be taken when picking to not pull off the fruit spur as this is what produces the fruit year after year. Pests and Diseases: Common pests of cherry trees include aphids and the cherry fruit fly. Aphids are not a huge problem if their numbers are relatively low. However, their sticky secretions become a perfect environment for the growth of black mold. Beside chemical applications, ladybugs are a natural predator to aphids. Diligent removal of water sprouts is one way to keep aphids from being attracted to your tree as they are drawn to lush, active new growth. The cherry fruit fly is a serious pest of cherries. The fruit becomes inedible and may drop prematurely. The adult flies lay their eggs in the cherries in June and July. Once the eggs hatch, the maggots tunnel their way through and eat the cherries. Mature larvae emerge from the cherries and drop to the ground where they pupate at a depth of 3 inches. Infested cherries turn red and ripen earlier than usual. They also become shrunken and misshapen. Brown rot is a devastating disease of cherry trees. It is a fungal infection that targets the blossoms, branches, and fruit. It usually goes unnoticed until it affects the fruit. Symptoms of infected trees include cankers, fruit rot and blossom blight. Once discovered, all infected areas should be pruned out immediately. As well, any fallen debris that is afflicted should be removed to prevent further spread of the disease. Infection of a tree occurs during wet periods. Certain temperature and moisture levels have to be present for infection to occur. For example 5 hours of wetness at 68 degrees Fahrenheit is all that is required for infection. Even less time is required at higher tem-peratures.

Scott’s Nursery Ltd Lincoln, NB Canada

(506) 458-9208 www.scottsnursery.nb.ca

Brown Rot Brown Rot Fruit Fly Adult Fruit Fly Maggot

Scott’s Nursery Ltd Lincoln, NB Canada

(506) 458-9208 www.scottsnursery.nb.ca

Pruning: When initially planting a young tree, more pruning is required to give it the desired shape and sturdy structure that will support heavy fruit crops in later years. An open vase shape is best for cherries as it allows both air and sunshine into the interior of the tree. This results in less disease and nicer fruit. Trees that are grown for fruit production should have the central leader topped to keep the tree short and make the fruit easier to pick. A two year old tree should ideally have about four well spaced, sturdy branches with wide angles to the trunk. After this, annual pruning is really just to maintain height, shape, and to remove damaged or crossed branches. It is very important not to prune during the winter or during periods of damp weather as this is a really good way to spread fungal diseases.

Note: Sour cherries do not pollinate sweet cherries.

VARIETY TYPE DESCRIPTION HARVEST HEIGHT WIDTH ZONE

Bing Sweet Large, firm, juicy black fruit. One of the best known varie-ties. Requires a pollinator

Mid

July

20’

15’ 5

Carmine

Jewel Sour Very dark red fruit that is high

in sugar. Great for juice and wine. Self pollinating.

Early

August 6’

6’

2b

Cavalier Sweet Sweet black fruit. One of the hardier sweet cherries.

Mid

July 20’ 15’ 5

Crimson

Passion Sour Large dark red fruit that has

the highest sugar content of all sour cherries.

Early Au-gust

6’

6’

3b

Juliette Sour Dark red fruit. For eating fresh and baking.

Early Au-gust

6’ 6’ 3

Lapins Sweet Very large, firm, dark red fruit. Vigorous and productive tree with an upright growing habit. Self pollinating.

End

July

20’

15’

4

Montmorency Sour Large bright red fruit with a firm texture. The most widely planted sour cherry. Used for preserving and baking. Self pollinating.

End

July

13’

10’

3

Romeo Sour Small sweet dark red fruit. For eating fresh or juice. Self pol-linating.

Late

August 6’

5’

3

Stella Sweet Very large and sweet, firm black fruit on a naturally dwarf tree. Resists cracking. Self pollinating.

End

July

12’

10’

5

Van Sweet Large, firm black fruit with good flavor. A heavy producer and good pollinator. Hardier than Bing.

Early Au-

gust

20’

15’

5

CULTIVARS

Scott’s Nursery Ltd Lincoln, NB Canada

(506) 458-9208 www.scottsnursery.nb.ca