Growing a cherry tree involves two distinct timelines: the years required for the tree to reach reproductive maturity and the brief annual cycle from flower to fruit. The Prunus species, encompassing both sweet and tart cherries, are popular for their beautiful blossoms and delicious fruit. The waiting period for a harvest depends heavily on the specific variety chosen and the horticultural techniques employed. The time required for the first fruit is measured in years, while the time from bloom to harvest is a rapid process that repeats annually once the tree is established.
The Years Required to Reach Maturity
A cherry tree’s timeline to maturity begins the day it is planted. For sweet cherries (Prunus avium), which are typically eaten fresh, growers should anticipate a waiting period of four to seven years before the tree produces a substantial crop. This extended timeframe allows the tree to invest energy into establishing a robust root system and a strong, complex branch structure capable of supporting a heavy fruit load.
Tart or sour cherries (Prunus cerasus) generally reach reproductive maturity more quickly than their sweet counterparts, often beginning to bear fruit within three to five years after planting. This difference is partly attributed to the fact that tart cherry trees are naturally smaller and more genetically inclined to fruit at an earlier age. While a tree might produce a few sample cherries early on, it is not considered fully mature until it consistently delivers a heavy, high-quality yield.
The Short Cycle From Bloom to Harvest
Once a cherry tree is mature, the annual process from flower to fruit is fast and predictable. This short growing cycle begins with the spring bloom, a fleeting period often lasting only a week or two, where successful pollination must occur. After the petals drop, the tiny green fruit begins to develop rapidly over the next two to three months.
The precise time from the end of the flowering stage to the fruit’s readiness for picking is highly dependent on the cultivar. Early-maturing sweet cherry varieties may require as little as 33 to 39 days to ripen after full bloom. Mid-season varieties, such as ‘Lapins’ or ‘Bing’, generally need a longer period, often taking around 50 to 64 days. Since cherries are non-climacteric fruit, meaning they do not continue to ripen or sweeten once they are picked, careful timing is necessary to ensure the fruit is fully developed on the branch.
Major Factors That Accelerate or Delay Growth
The greatest influence on a cherry tree’s time to first harvest is the choice of rootstock onto which the desired cherry variety is grafted. Using dwarfing or semi-dwarfing rootstocks, such as those from the Gisela series, can drastically accelerate fruiting, allowing for a first crop in as little as two to three years. These rootstocks reduce the tree’s overall vegetative vigor, shifting its energy balance toward reproductive growth sooner than standard rootstocks.
Climatic conditions also play a significant role, particularly the requirement for winter cold, known as chill hours. Cherry trees need a specific number of hours below 45°F (7.2°C) during dormancy to properly prepare their buds for the spring flowering cycle and subsequent fruit set. Sweet cherries typically require 700 to 1,100 chill hours, while many tart cherries need over 1,200 hours, and insufficient chilling can delay or entirely prevent fruit production.
The management of the young tree through pruning also affects the timeline. Pruning techniques that involve heavy heading cuts, which shorten branches and stimulate vigorous new growth, can inadvertently delay the onset of fruiting. This type of cut encourages the tree to prioritize the production of woody vegetative shoots rather than forming the specialized spurs that bear fruit. Postponing pruning until late summer or using only thinning cuts helps manage the tree’s size and promotes earlier floral initiation.
The Long Term Life and Productivity of a Cherry Tree
Once a cherry tree reaches its mature, productive phase, it offers a harvest for many years, though its commercial lifespan is relatively short compared to many other orchard fruits. The average productive life of a sweet cherry tree is around 10 to 15 years, especially when grown on modern, high-density dwarfing rootstocks. Tart cherry trees tend to be more resilient and may remain productive for a longer duration, often reaching 20 to 25 years under good conditions.
During this productive period, a standard-sized, mature cherry tree can yield a substantial harvest, typically delivering 30 to 50 quarts of cherries annually. Dwarf varieties, which are easier to manage and harvest, produce less per tree, with yields generally ranging from 10 to 15 quarts. The end of a tree’s productive life is usually signaled by a combination of factors, including a noticeable decrease in annual yield, increased susceptibility to disease, and a decline in overall tree health.