Denny Schrock
Cherry trees are a delightful sight in the spring, offering some of the first blossoms of the season. The fragrant flowers, whether single or double, cover the small tree’s branches, which stand out against the leafless backdrop. Cherry trees can be categorized into two groups—edible varieties and ornamental selections. This guide aims to help you choose the best type of cherry tree for your landscape and direct you to a suitable cultivar for your region.
Ornamental Cherry Trees
Ornamental cherry trees are known for their highly anticipated spring flower displays. While they rarely yield fruit, their vibrant flowers attract early season pollinators. These deciduous trees thrive in Zones 5 to 9 and prefer full sun.
These small landscape trees typically grow 15 to 25 feet tall and wide, with some varieties reaching heights of 40 feet or more. Ideal for planting near a patio or porch, an ornamental cherry tree can provide shade without overpowering a small area. These cherry trees have a relatively short lifespan, flourishing for about 20 years before declining. Cultivars vary in size, form, and flower color. Some of the most beautiful flowering cherry tree types include:
– Japanese flowering cherry (Prunus serrulata): This wide-spreading tree grows around 25 feet tall and wide, boasting pink or white single or double flowers in midspring. The leaves turn bronze or yellow-orange in the fall, and ‘Kwanzan’ is a popular cultivar with large double-pink flowers.
– Higan cherry (Prunus × subhirtella): Known for its heat and cold tolerance, this variety thrives in various soil conditions, particularly moist, well-drained soil. Showy pink or white flowers precede dark green leaves that turn yellow in the autumn. The ‘Pendula’ cultivar is a favorite for its weeping form.
– Yoshino cherry (Prunus × yedoensis): One of the larger ornamental cherry types, this fast-growing but short-lived tree typically lasts about 15 years. It is sensitive to heat, humidity, and drought, and late frost and windy conditions can disrupt its blooming. ‘Okame’ cherry forms a distinctive vase shape as it grows 20 to 30 feet tall, displaying bright pink flowers and shiny red bark. Its leaves turn a bold orange-red in autumn, and it thrives in full sun or part shade with moist, well-drained soil.
Bob Stefko
Edible Cherry Trees
Edible cherry trees also produce flowers, similar to their ornamental counterparts, but the real satisfaction comes at harvest time, usually 6 to 8 weeks after flowering. There are two main types of fruiting cherry trees—sweet cherries for fresh consumption and sour cherries for baking purposes.
Like ornamental cherry trees, edible varieties have a limited lifespan, typically being productive for about 20 years before declining.
Bob Stef
This small tree yields an abundance of tangy, bright red fruit that is perfect for cherry cobblers and pies. It features white flowers in the spring and thrives in rich, well-drained soil. While ‘Montmorency’ is self-pollinating, planting another variety of sour cherry nearby can enhance fruit production. Good pollinating partners include ‘North Star,’ ‘Balaton,’ and ‘Meteor.’ Suitable for Zones 4–7.
‘North Star’ produces tart fruit with deep red flesh and mahogany red skin. As a dwarf fruit tree reaching heights of 8 to 10 feet, it is easier to harvest and prune. Although self-pollinating, it is more productive when planted alongside another sour cherry. Suitable for Zones 4–8.
While sour cherry trees are self-pollinating, having another sour cherry tree nearby can improve fruit production. Sweet cherry trees require a compatible partner for cross-pollination. Ensure to plant a pollinating partner within 100 feet for optimal results.
Some recommended sweet cherry tree varieties include:
– ‘Bing’: Known for large, juicy, almost-black cherries ripening in July. Cross-pollinate with ‘Van’ or ‘Rainer’. Suitable for Zones 5–8.
– ‘Lapins’: A self-pollinating cherry with pink flowers leading to dark red fruit in July. It is beneficial to have another sweet cherry tree nearby. Resistant to diseases and cracking. Suitable for Zones 5–9.
– ‘Rainier’: Produces high-quality yellow fruit with pink blush and excellent flavor. Cross-pollinate with another sweet cherry variety. Ripens in late May or early June. Suitable for Zones 5–8.
– ‘Van’: Features dark mahogany fruit ripening in June. Begins productivity at an earlier age compared to other sweet cherries. Cross-pollinate with any sweet cherry variety, except ‘Regina’. Suitable for Zones 5–8.
– ‘Windsor’: Yields medium-sized, dark red fruit in July. A fast-growing tree reaching 15-18 feet tall and wide. Cross-pollinate with any other sweet cherry variety. Suitable for Zones 5–8.
