Cherry trees (Prunus genus) are popular deciduous trees valued for their spring blossoms and edible fruit, including sweet (Prunus avium) and sour (Prunus cerasus) varieties. Compared to many slow-growing hardwood species, cherry trees are generally recognized as having a medium to fast growth rate. Knowing their annual growth helps homeowners and orchardists plan for long-term landscape needs.
Defining the Typical Annual Growth Rate
Arborists categorize tree growth based on vertical height added annually. A slow rate is 12 inches or less per year, while a fast rate exceeds 25 inches annually. Cherry trees typically fall into the moderate growth category, generally adding between 13 and 24 inches of vertical growth each season.
This growth is most noticeable in the tree’s younger years as it establishes its structural framework. The yearly growth rate measures the elongation of new terminal shoots, which can be examined by measuring the distance between annual bud scars on a branch. This moderate rate suggests a tree that establishes itself without the weak wood often associated with extremely fast-growing species.
Varietal Differences in Growth Speed
The species and the rootstock onto which the tree is grafted significantly influence its ultimate size and yearly growth speed. Standard sweet cherry varieties (Prunus avium) are the most vigorous, often reaching 30 to 35 feet at maturity. These varieties are usually on the higher end of the moderate growth range, sometimes approaching the “fast” classification during their peak juvenile years.
Sour or tart cherries (Prunus cerasus) are innately smaller, typically reaching 15 to 20 feet, and exhibit a slower growth tendency than sweet cherries, sometimes adding only 8 to 10 inches per year. The selection of a dwarfing rootstock, such as Gisela, is a significant factor controlling size. A tree grafted onto a dwarfing rootstock will inherently grow slower and reach a much smaller mature size than the same variety grown on standard rootstock.
Environmental Factors That Influence Growth
External conditions can significantly accelerate or impede a cherry tree’s progress, even if it has the genetic potential for moderate growth. Optimal growth requires a location that receives at least six to eight hours of direct sunlight daily. Insufficient light results in sparse development and a weaker structure, slowing the tree’s ability to photosynthesize.
Soil quality is a major determinant, as cherry trees prefer deep, fertile loam with excellent drainage and a pH between 6.0 and 7.0. Consistent water availability, especially during the first few years after planting, is necessary for root establishment and rapid shoot extension. Planting in an inappropriate hardiness zone can also stunt growth if the tree does not receive the specific number of winter chill hours necessary to properly break dormancy and initiate healthy spring growth.
Timeline to Maturity and Fruiting
The annual growth rate translates directly into the time required for the tree to reach productive milestones. Tart cherry varieties generally begin flowering and producing fruit within three to five years of planting. Sweet cherry varieties require a slightly longer establishment period, typically bearing fruit between four and seven years.
Trees grafted onto dwarfing rootstocks may begin fruiting even earlier, sometimes within two years. Full commercial production is achieved around five to eight years after planting, depending on the rootstock. The rapid vertical growth rate typically slows significantly after the first ten years as the tree diverts energy into fruit production and canopy spread.