Prunus avium, 40-60 cm

• Type: Sweet cherry tree
• Latin name: Prunus avium
• Cultivar: Prunus avium
• Mature height: 1500–2500 cm
• Width: 800–1200 cm
• Ripening: Flowers April–May, fruit ripens June–July
• Pollination: Cross-pollinated – needs another cherry nearby
• Height when sold: 40–60 cm
• Light: sunny
• Winter hardiness: USDA 5–7 (in Estonia in a warm, sheltered spot)

Planting Plant in spring (late April – May) in a sunny, warm, sheltered spot with light, well-drained soil; wet, heavy clay is unsuitable. Dig a 60×60 cm hole, mix the excavated soil with compost or a soil improver, set the tree so that the graft union stays 5–8 cm above soil level and water generously. Many sweet cherry cultivars need a pollinator – unless the cultivar is self-fertile, plant another cherry that flowers at the same time nearby. Space trees 4–5 m apart, columnar cultivars 0.8–1 m.

Watering Water young trees regularly for the first two years – 20–30 L once a week and more often in dry spells. Established trees need water after flowering, during fruit growth and before winter (a deep autumn soak). Mulch around the trunk, keeping mulch away from the bark.

Pruning Prune in spring before bud break or in summer after harvest, not in autumn or winter – this lowers the risk of disease. Build the crown from 4–5 main branches, remove dead, crossing and inward-growing shoots and keep the crown open. On a columnar cultivar keep the central leader and shorten overly long side shoots. Never remove more than a quarter of the crown a year and seal large cuts with tree paint.

Feeding and winter care Feed in spring with nitrogen (compost, organic fertiliser), in June–July with a balanced fertiliser, and in August–September with a potassium-phosphorus fertiliser; do not give nitrogen in autumn. Protect the trunk of a young tree for winter with whitewash, spruce boughs or netting against hares and frost cracks; in autumn clear away fallen leaves and any mummified fruit to reduce disease spread. Sweet cherry is less hardy than sour cherry – give a young tree extra winter protection.