Position: Full sun, sheltered. Soil Type: Fertile, well drained but moist. Rate of Growth: Average 1ft (30cm) per year. Foliage: Deciduous (loses its leaves in winter). Hardiness: Fully Hardy. Flowers: From early May. Height and spread: 12-15ft in 15 years. Flower colour: White to light pink.
Established, well-branched tree around 5-6ft tall.
Grown on a semi-dwarf Colt rootstock, which means they will grow to approx half the size of a seedling or tree grafted on a more vigorous rootstock.
All self-fertile. Produces large sweet black cherries. Gorgeous flavour, harvest early July.
Garden care: Planting Dig a planting hole large enough and deep enough for the soil ball to be surrounded by a 3-4 inch layer of planting mixture. The hole should be deep enough to ensure the top of the soil ball will be 1-2 inches below the soil surface after planting. Always water the container before planting. Place 3-4 inches of planting mix in the bottom of the hole, put soil ball in the hole, fill space around it with planting mix. Never use ordinary soil. Firm mix down with hands, or firmly with feet, then water in well. Planting mix should be a combination of, 1 part top soil or John Innes No.3, 1 part moist peat and 3 handfuls of Bonemcal per barrow load. A good sturdy stake is a necessity for the first year or two, until the tree has formed a good root system. You may be able to put the stake in upright with some trees, but usually with container trees a stake in the ground at a 50 degree angle to the tree, pointing roughly into the prevailing wind is best. The use of a proper tree tie is essential. When planting near other trees or buildings, consider the mature height of the tree. If the height is 4m then that is how far apart you plant the trees. Aftercare: In the spring, place a mulch of rotted manure, garden compost, bark, peat or black polythene around the tree extending 18 inches around the stem. This keeps the weeds down which is essential to the health of the tree. It’s a good idea to carry on mulching every spring through the trees life as well as feeding with Growmore fertiliser. Sour cherries need feeding twice a year, they also require a later spring application of a nitrogen-rich liquid fertiliser. Cherries in general will need watering regularly in a dry season. Fruit trees are unfortunately targets for many soil and airborne pests and diseases, so the spraying of chemicals is often a necessity, winter washes in October and again in February-March are very important. Sprays of fungicides and insecticides in summer months to control mildew and insect problems are an option to maintain the best health of your tree. Pruning is a difficult task. Never prune in the winter as this will make the tree susceptible to diseases such as Silver Leaf, which can kill a mature plant. Pruning to keep its shape is all that needs doing. A good reference book to have on your shelf is The Fruit Expert by Dr.D.G.Hessayon.Concise and to the point. Lastly, netting the trees when the fruit is well set is a necessity unless you want the birds to have all the fruit. Sweet cherries must be left on the tree until ripe but sour cherries can be picked when not quite ripe. Product Code:PLACHERRIESSTELLA