Cherry trees, which belong to the genus Prunus, are a diverse group of plants. The simple answer to whether they all grow cherries is no, as not all varieties produce the sweet or tart fruit humans consume. Many popular varieties are planted for their spectacular spring blooms, having been specifically bred to prioritize flower size, color, and longevity over fruit production.
The Fundamental Difference: Fruiting Versus Flowering Varieties
The distinction between a fruiting cherry tree and a flowering cherry tree lies in the centuries of selective breeding applied to each variety. Ornamental, or flowering, cherry trees, such as the Japanese flowering cherry (Prunus serrulata), are cultivated for stunning displays of blossoms. These trees often feature double-petaled flowers, where reproductive structures are replaced by extra petals, significantly reducing or eliminating the tree’s ability to set fruit. The few small fruits they do produce are typically bitter, dark, and inedible for human consumption.
Fruiting varieties, conversely, are bred specifically for yield, flavor, and disease resistance. The sweet cherry (Prunus avium) and the tart cherry (Prunus cerasus) are the two main species cultivated for edible fruit. While these trees also produce beautiful white or light pink blossoms, their reproductive parts are optimized for successful pollination and fruit development.
Edible Cherry Varieties: Sweet and Tart
Sweet cherries (Prunus avium) are generally large, firm, and have a low acid content, making them ideal for eating fresh. Common varieties include ‘Bing,’ ‘Rainier,’ and ‘Lapins.’ These trees are typically larger and can live for a century or more. They are grown commercially in regions like the Pacific Coast states and parts of Michigan.
Tart cherries (Prunus cerasus) are characterized by their higher acid content, giving them a distinct sour flavor. They are rarely eaten raw and are instead used extensively in cooking, baking, and preserves, such as pies and jams. The ‘Montmorency’ variety is the most common tart cherry grown in North America, often cultivated in areas like Michigan. Tart cherry trees are typically smaller, more shrub-like, and have a shorter lifespan.
Understanding Fruit Production Requirements
A fruiting cherry tree requires specific environmental and biological needs to produce a harvest. One requirement is the accumulation of “chill hours,” which are the total hours the tree spends between 32 and 45 degrees Fahrenheit during winter dormancy. Sweet cherry varieties often require a high number, typically 700 to 900 hours, to properly break dormancy and set fruit. Insufficient chilling leads to delayed bud break, poor flower development, and inconsistent crop yield.
Pollination is another critical factor that varies between types. Almost all widely grown varieties of tart cherries (Prunus cerasus) are self-fertile, meaning they can produce fruit with their own pollen. However, most sweet cherry varieties (Prunus avium) are self-incompatible and require a compatible pollinator variety nearby to set fruit. In addition, many cherry trees take between four and six years after planting to reach maturity and begin producing a substantial crop.