Caring for a cherry tree is a rewarding commitment that ensures both longevity and abundant yield. Cherry trees can live for decades, but their health and productivity depend on consistent, year-round attention. Following a clear care routine will help prevent common issues and allow the tree to thrive in your landscape.
Establishing the Tree
Selecting the right location is the first step toward a healthy cherry tree, as they require a site that receives six to eight hours of direct sunlight each day for strong growth, abundant flowering, and high-quality fruit production. The soil must be well-draining because cherry trees are susceptible to root diseases in waterlogged conditions, making heavy clay soil a poor choice.
Before planting, the hole should be dug as deep as the root ball and at least twice as wide to allow the roots to spread out easily. Mixing organic matter, such as aged compost, into the native soil before backfilling can significantly improve soil structure and drainage. When placing the tree, ensure the graft union—the slight swelling where the tree was joined to its rootstock—sits at least one inch above the finished soil line.
Ongoing Nutritional and Hydration Needs
Newly planted cherry trees require consistent moisture for the first year to establish a robust root system. During this time, they need about one inch of water per week, which should be delivered through a deep soaking rather than shallow, frequent sprinkles. For established trees, deep watering is still the preferred method, applied when the top few inches of soil have dried out, as this encourages the roots to grow downward.
Cherry trees are considered light feeders and do not require heavy fertilization. A soil test can help determine specific nutrient deficiencies, but an annual application of a low-nitrogen fertilizer is sufficient. This feeding should be done in early spring, a few weeks before the tree blooms. Applying too much nitrogen can encourage excessive leafy growth at the expense of fruit production, creating an unbalanced tree that is more vulnerable to pests and diseases.
Structural Maintenance
Pruning is an annual practice that helps shape the tree, maintain its size, and promote vigorous growth for future fruit production. The goal is to create an open canopy that allows light and air to penetrate the center of the tree, which is important for fruit ripening and disease prevention. Dead, diseased, or crossing branches should be removed to improve the tree’s overall health and structural integrity.
For sweet cherry varieties, pruning is ideally performed in late summer immediately after harvest, rather than during the dormant winter period. This timing allows the wounds to heal quickly in warm, dry weather, which minimizes the tree’s susceptibility to bacterial and fungal infections like bacterial canker. Sour cherry trees, however, can be pruned in late winter or early spring while they are still dormant.
There are two main types of cuts used in pruning: thinning cuts and heading cuts. Thinning cuts remove an entire branch back to its point of origin or to a larger limb, which opens the canopy and encourages new growth. Heading cuts involve removing only a portion of a branch to encourage lateral branching, and all cuts should be made just outside the branch collar for proper wound closure.
Protecting the Tree from Threats
Cherry trees are susceptible to various pests and diseases that can threaten their health and yield, requiring proactive monitoring and intervention. Common insect pests include the black cherry aphid, which sucks sap from new growth and causes leaf curling, and the cherry fruit fly, whose larvae tunnel into the fruit. Initial control for aphids can involve horticultural oil or insecticidal soap sprays, while removing fallen, infested fruit is a good cultural practice for managing fruit flies.
Fungal diseases like brown rot and cherry leaf spot are prevalent, especially in warm, humid conditions. Brown rot causes blossoms and fruit to turn brown and shrivel, while leaf spot appears as small purple or brown spots on the leaves, which can eventually fall out. Good orchard sanitation, such as removing mummified fruit and fallen leaves, is important to reduce the presence of overwintering fungal spores.
Environmental protection is also part of year-round care, particularly safeguarding against temperature drops. Cherry blossoms are sensitive to late spring frosts, and while little can be done for a mature tree, smaller trees can sometimes be protected by covering them overnight. Proper preparation for winter, including ensuring the tree is well-hydrated going into the dormant season, helps the wood resist damage from cold and desiccation.