The time it takes for a cherry tree (genus Prunus) to produce its first harvest is highly variable, depending on the specific species planted and the care it receives. Cherries are typically propagated by grafting a desired fruiting variety onto a rootstock. The interaction of the rootstock and the variety largely determines the tree’s maturity timeline, which can take several years before the first crop.
Standard Fruiting Timelines for Cherry Varieties
The time to first fruit is primarily dictated by whether the tree is a sweet cherry (Prunus avium) or a sour cherry (Prunus cerasus). Sour cherries (tart or pie cherries) generally begin producing fruit earlier than sweet cherries. A newly planted sour cherry tree typically enters its bearing phase between three and five years after planting.
Sweet cherry trees, which are the varieties most commonly eaten fresh, often take slightly longer to reach maturity. These trees usually begin to bear a small crop between four and seven years from the time they are planted. Achieving a full, reliable crop generally requires an additional one or two years beyond this initial fruiting period.
Key Variables That Speed Up or Slow Down Production
The rootstock used for grafting has a significant impact on the time it takes for a cherry tree to produce fruit. Standard, vigorous rootstocks like Mazzard or Colt result in larger trees that naturally take longer to mature and establish a canopy. Dwarfing or semi-dwarfing rootstocks, such as the Gisela series (e.g., Gisela 5 or Gisela 6), are specifically bred to reduce tree size and induce earlier bearing.
Trees grafted onto dwarfing rootstocks often begin to fruit one to two years sooner than those on standard rootstocks. For instance, combinations using Gisela rootstocks have been shown to bear fruit as early as the third year. Furthermore, a two- or three-year-old potted specimen will naturally fruit sooner than a one-year-old bare-root whip, as it has already completed some vegetative growth. Some specific cultivars, such as ‘Stella’ or ‘Lapins,’ are known genetic exceptions that exhibit a natural tendency toward early bearing.
Cultural Requirements to Ensure Reliable Fruiting
Proper care and cultural practices are fundamental to ensuring a cherry tree fruits on a timely and consistent basis. Cherry trees require a minimum of six to eight hours of direct sunlight daily to support the energy demands of flower and fruit production. Planting the tree in a location with inadequate sun will prioritize leafy growth over reproductive development, thereby delaying the first harvest.
Pollination requirements vary significantly between the two main types of cherries. Most sour cherry varieties are self-pollinating, meaning they can set fruit without a second tree. Conversely, the majority of sweet cherry varieties are self-sterile and require a compatible pollinator planted nearby, typically within 100 feet, for successful fruit set.
Pruning practices also influence fruiting, as cherries are primarily produced on fruit spurs that develop on older wood. Proper, light annual pruning encourages spur formation. Heavy winter pruning stimulates excessive vegetative growth and can inadvertently delay the onset of fruiting. Finally, cherry trees must accumulate a specific number of “chill hours,” defined as hours below 45°F (7°C), during winter dormancy. If a tree does not receive enough chilling, the flower buds will not open properly in the spring, preventing fruit set.
Troubleshooting When a Mature Tree Doesn’t Fruit
If a cherry tree has reached the expected fruiting age of four to seven years and is still failing to produce a crop, external factors or imbalances are often the cause. One of the most common reasons for bloom failure is late spring frost damage, which can kill the reproductive parts of the flower even if the petals appear normal. Temperatures below 29°F (-1°C) during or just before bloom can turn the center of the blossoms dark brown or black, preventing the development of fruit.
A nutrient imbalance, specifically an overabundance of nitrogen, can cause the tree to focus energy on producing leafy growth instead of flowers and fruit. Reducing or eliminating high-nitrogen fertilizers encourages the tree to shift its energy from vegetative growth to reproductive cycles. Another possible cause is biennial bearing, where a tree that produced an unusually heavy crop one year will rest the following season to recover its energy reserves. In such cases, the tree is healthy but is simply cycling its energy, and production is likely to return to normal the next year.