The mature height of a cherry tree is highly variable, depending on genetics and environment. Final size can range from a small shrub suitable for a container to a towering orchard tree. Understanding what controls this growth is necessary for anyone planning to plant a cherry tree. The largest influence on a tree’s ultimate stature comes from the genetic material used when the tree is propagated.
The Primary Factor: Tree Type and Rootstock
The primary determinant of a cherry tree’s size is whether it is a fruiting variety or an ornamental variety, and, specifically for fruiting types, the rootstock it is grafted onto. Fruiting sweet cherry trees (Prunus avium) naturally grow into very large specimens, sometimes reaching 40 feet or more if grown on their own roots or vigorous rootstocks like Mazzard. However, nearly all commercially sold sweet cherry trees are composite trees, meaning a desirable fruiting variety (the scion) is joined to a different, size-controlling root system (the rootstock).
The rootstock provides the underground structure and dictates the overall vigor and final height of the grafted tree. Dwarfing rootstocks, such as the Gisela series (e.g., Gisela 5), drastically reduce the growth rate and size, making management and harvesting easier. Ornamental cherry varieties, like the Kwanzan or Yoshino, are often grown on standard, vigorous rootstocks, and their mature size is determined by the cultivar’s natural growth habit.
Understanding Standard, Semi-Dwarf, and Dwarf Heights
The classification of cherry tree size is defined for cultivated fruiting varieties, which are grouped into three primary categories based on the rootstock used. Standard, or full-sized, sweet cherry trees grown on vigorous rootstocks like Mazzard reach mature heights between 20 and 40 feet. These trees require substantial space and often need tall ladders for harvesting.
The semi-dwarf category offers a reduction in size, typically maturing at 15 to 25 feet tall. Semi-dwarf trees are popular for home orchards because they yield large crops while keeping fruit within easier reach. Dwarf cherry trees, grafted onto highly dwarfing rootstocks like Gisela 5, are the most manageable size for small gardens, maintained at a height between 8 and 15 feet.
Ornamental varieties, often used for their spring blossoms, follow a different sizing pattern. Kwanzan flowering cherry trees, for example, frequently reach 30 to 40 feet tall and wide. The popular Yoshino cherry tree grows even taller, achieving mature heights of 40 to 50 feet.
Environmental Influences on Maximum Size
Even with optimal genetics, a cherry tree’s ability to reach its maximum potential height depends heavily on its growing environment. Water availability is a major limiting factor, as sweet cherry trees are sensitive to deficits, especially during shoot growth after harvest. Chronic drought stress or inconsistent watering can stunt vegetative growth, preventing the tree from achieving the size dictated by its rootstock.
Soil quality plays a role, particularly regarding drainage and nutrient availability. Poorly drained, heavy clay soils increase the risk of root disease and inhibit the deep root growth necessary for tall, stable trees. Conversely, a lack of adequate nutrients, such as nitrogen, limits the energy available for vertical growth, causing the tree to remain smaller than expected.
Climatic conditions, specifically temperature extremes, influence the tree’s overall stature and health. Cherry trees require a certain number of chill hours during winter dormancy, and insufficient chilling disrupts bud development, affecting subsequent seasonal growth. Late spring frosts can damage developing shoots and blossoms, forcing the tree to expend energy on recovery rather than vertical expansion.
Managing Tree Height for Practical Gardening
Gardeners frequently use specific cultivation techniques to control the size of a cherry tree, overriding its genetic potential for height. Pruning is the most effective method for managing tree size and shape, with the timing of cuts influencing the tree’s response. Dormant season pruning, typically performed in late winter, is used for shaping the tree and removing damaged or crossing branches.
Summer pruning, performed after harvest, is generally more effective at controlling the tree’s vigor and limiting height because it removes actively producing leaves. To keep a tree manageable, many growers remove the central leader, which is the main upward-growing trunk. This technique, called a heading cut, encourages lateral branching and results in a shorter, more open canopy structure that is easier to harvest and maintain.