Cherry tree
How to plant a cherry tree?
To plant a cherry tree in the ground, it is advisable to do so in autumn or spring, when the soil is neither too cold nor too dry. Choose a sunny spot, sheltered from strong winds, with well-drained, deep soil. Before planting, prepare the soil by ploughing to a depth of around 50 cm and adding mature compost if necessary to improve its structure. Dig a hole twice as wide and deep as the root ball of your cherry tree. Once the cherry tree is in place, fill in the hole by lightly packing the soil around the foot.
If you have to transplant a cherry tree, take care not to damage the roots and to install it quickly in its new location. Water copiously to encourage rooting. During the first few years, keep an eye on watering regularly in case of drought. Cherry trees generally don't need fertiliser, but you can mulch at the foot of the tree to retain moisture and limit weed growth. Finally, don't forget to prune your cherry tree every year to encourage fruiting and prevent disease.
What is the ideal size for a cherry tree?
To look after a cherry tree properly, we recommend pruning it regularly. Formation pruning, carried out at the time of planting, aims to structure the tree by eliminating misaligned branches and encouraging the growth of a solid framework. Maintenance pruning consists of removing dead, diseased or crossing branches to aerate the crown and encourage the circulation of air and light. Finally, fruiting pruning stimulates fruit production by encouraging the development of new fruit-bearing shoots.
To achieve good cherry production, it's important to know that cherries appear on the previous year's branches. It is therefore advisable to prune cherry trees after the harvest, in early autumn. It's best not to prune cherry trees in winter, as they may bleed and be more vulnerable to disease.
By following these pruning tips, you'll be able to keep your cherry tree in good health and encourage abundant production of delicious cherries.
How do I harvest cherries?
Cherries are mainly harvested in early summer, usually between June and July. It is important to know that cherries must be picked when ripe to be tasty. To harvest them, simply detach them from the stem, turning them gently to avoid damaging them. We recommend harvesting them early in the morning, when the temperature is cooler, to preserve their freshness and flavour.
Cherries keep best if stored in an airtight container in the fridge for one to two weeks. It's best not to wash them before storing, as moisture can speed up their deterioration. If you want to keep them for longer, you can freeze them, make them into jam or clafoutis, or dry them. It is recommended that you eat the cherries as soon as possible after harvesting to take full advantage of their flavour and health benefits.
Cherry tree
- Type : Fruit trees
- Botanical Family : Rosacea
Characteristics
- Exposure : Full Sun
- Cultivation Difficulty : Easy
- Adult Height : 300 cm
Maintenance
- Maintenance : Moderate
- Water Requirements : Moderate
Seeds
- Soil Type : Humus-rich
- Soil pH Preference : Acidic
- Pest Sensitivity : Moderate
- Disease Sensitivity : Moderate
- Weed Sensitivity : Moderate
- Pollination : Insect-pollinated
- Propagation : Cutting