CHERRIES

These luscious fruit are delicious eaten fresh as well used in many recipes for baking, jams, ice cream, candies, wine and more. An excellent source of Vitamin C and antioxidants, and many people swear by the gout relieving properties of the darker cherry varieties.

Cherry trees offer a spectacular show of blooms in the spring that mature quickly to luscious red fruit in the early to mid summer. Fall color can range from yellow to orange-red. The trees should be planted in a sunny location with well drained soil. Soil pH needs to be at least 7.0, so most soils will need added lime. The cherries we offer are noted as needing cross pollination or self-pollinating , but will set a better crop with another variety; sweet with sweet, tart with tart. Prune to open vase shape in early spring before buds begin to break. In general, treat the cherry tree like a plum tree. All varieties are on standard rootstock because we have not found a reliable dwarf rootstock that is long lived. A more dwarf size can be maintained with proper pruning.

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SWEET CHERRIES

Bing

Bing cherries have become the leading sweet cherry in North America, and is the standard to which other varieties are compared to with their sweet rich flavor. The very large, deep mahogany red fruit are firm, and juicy when ripe. Perfect for fresh eating, Cross pollinate with another sweet cherry. Ripens in mid June and early July. Zones 5-7.

Black Gold

What a find! A large and firm, dark red sweet cherry that is self-pollinating and late blooming to miss late spring frosts. A Stella hybrid so it is also sweet, juicy, heart-shaped and firm. Tree is vigorous and productive. Ripens mid July.

Zones 5-7.

Lapins

A variety that has everything going for it- winter hardy, later blooming, self-pollinating and an excellent pollinator for other sweet cherries, resistant to cracking, large size, dark red, great flavor and bears early in age. What more can we say? Use for fresh eating, cooking and freezing. Ripens in mid July.

Zones 5-8.

Rainier

Rainier is a very attractive, exceptionally large, yellow cherry with a bright red blush. The coloring fools birds into thinking they are not ripe yet – more time for you to harvest! The firm yellow flesh is delicately flavored with extraordinary sugar levels. Rainier cherries store well for a longer time to eat fresh, and work well for freezing, jams and sauces.

Later blooming, cross pollinate with Bing, Black Tartarian, Lapins or Stella.

Ripens in late June and July after Bing.

Zones 5-7

Stella

Often called a "self-pollinating Bing", Stella has all the same features: sweet, juicy, heart-shaped, dark red and firm, yet will produce on its own. It also is an excellent pollinator for other sweet cherries. The trees is vigorous and productive bearing early in age. Ripens in late June. Zones 5-7.

PIE CHERRIES

Balaton

Montmorency

A naturally dwarf tree growing to

Known as "the pie cherry", this fruit is an easy to grow variety, requiring little spraying. Self-fruitful and quick bearing, it ripens the last of May. Zones 5-7 and parts of 8.

North Star

A naturally dwarf tree growing to

about 7 ft., North Star is also

self-pollinating and winter hardy. The fruit is red and tart perfect for pies, preserves and jellies. An excellent tree for the home gardener with limited space. Ripens late June to early July.

Zones 5-8.