Cherry trees can be rewarding additions to a backyard orchard, but they can also be more challenging than apples and pears. Choosing the right variety, providing good growing conditions, and protecting the fruit from pests and wildlife are important steps for success.
Sweet cherries such as Bing produce delicious fruit, while sour cherries are often better choices for colder climates because they are usually more reliable.
The first step to growing cherries successfully is selecting a variety suited to your climate.
Sweet cherries such as Bing are known for their large, sweet fruit. However, they can require more attention in colder regions.
Sour cherries are often easier for Canadian gardeners because many varieties are self-fertile and handle colder temperatures better.
In a few years I hope to replace this photo with my own cherries. 🍒
Wishing for a full bowl of homegrown cherries after the wildlife has taken their tax. 🍒
Many sweet cherries need another compatible cherry variety for pollination. Sour cherries are often self-fertile and can produce fruit with one tree.
Ants are often attracted to damaged or overripe fruit. Fruit bags can protect cherries from many pests, but small insects may still find a way inside.
Cold hardy varieties such as Evans, North Star, and Montmorency sour cherries are popular choices for colder Canadian gardens.
Here's what I've found: aphids, Japanese beetles and ants.
| Cherry Variety | Type | Pollination |
|---|---|---|
| Bing | Sweet Cherry | Needs compatible partner |
| Lapins | Sweet Cherry | Self-fertile |
| Evans | Sour Cherry | Self-fertile |
| Montmorency | Sour Cherry | Self-fertile |
Don't be discouraged if you only have room for one cherry tree. Many gardeners assume they need space for two trees, but that isn't always the case. If your neighbours have compatible cherry trees nearby, bees may carry pollen between them during bloom time.
I only have one Bing cherry tree, and this year it produced fruit. According to many fruit-growing guides, a Bing cherry may produce fewer cherries without a compatible pollinator, but "fewer" doesn't necessarily mean "none." For a backyard gardener, even a small harvest can be rewarding. I'll be interested to see how my tree performs next year.
If you have room for only one tree, another option is to purchase a multi-grafted cherry tree. These trees have two or more compatible cherry varieties grafted onto a single trunk, allowing the different varieties to help pollinate each other while giving you a selection of cherries from one tree.
These observations come from growing fruit trees in my own Ontario garden. Every yard has different soil, weather, and wildlife, so your results may vary — but I hope my experiences help you avoid a few surprises along the way.