All fruit trees certified virus free with a Limited 3 Year Fruit Tree Warranty. Click here for our FREE FRUIT TREE OFFER. All basic pruning requirements completed before delivery.
Cherry Tree Options Explained
Generic (Colt/G5/Other):100-150cm tall, bush shape, 5-9L pot, 2-3 years old.
Colt Bush Grows to 3.5m: 150-200 cm tall, bush shape, 7-12L pot, 2-3 years old.
Colt (Half Standard) Grows to 3.5m: 150-200 cm tall, Half Standard (lollipop) shape, 7-12L pot, 2-3 years old.
Gisela 5, Patio, Grows to 2.5m: 150-200 cm tall, bush shape, 7-12L pot, 2-3 years old.
Colt Half Standard 180-240cm: 180-240 cm tall Half Standard (lollipop) shape, 12-20L pot, 2-4 years old.
Sweetheart Cherry Tree
Sweetheart (Prunus avium 'Sweetheart') is a result of the cross of cherry varieties Van x Newstar. First introduced in Canada in 1990. A heavy cropping variety, the cherries have an excellent flavour. One of the later picking varieties but well worth the wait as fewer cherries are available in the shops at this time. Ripens unevenly to spread the season. A good pollinator.
Be very careful when telling your partner that you are going into the garden alone to spend time with your Sweetheart, you may find the doors locked on your return.
Type of Cherry: EatingPicking Period: Late August
Self-Fertile/Not Self-Fertile: This cherry is self-fertile and will give Sweetheart Cherries without the need of another cherry tree nearby however your harvest maybe improved by having one close by.
Message card included at no additional cost if required.
If you are looking for the ornamental cherry trees then click WEEPING CHERRY BLOSSOM
Quick Fruit Tree Links
Take a look at our TOP SELLING FRUIT TREES, Wet ground issues then choose a PEAR TREE first, followed by APPLE TREES. For more information on pollination please look at POLLINATION EXPLAINED or choosing the CORRECT POLLINATION PARTNER
Fruit Tree Life Expectancy
Most fruit trees will give you AT LEAST 40 years of fruit. Pears can go to 70. Records of 200 year old trees exist but this is the exception, not the rule.
Do I Need To Stake My Bare Root Fruit Tree?
9 out of 10 times the answer will be no, especially if under 200cm tall. However our article on Tree Staking should help guide you.
Climate Change
Climate Change has increased aesthetic foliage issues such as Powdery Mildew, Shothole, Rust, frost damage etc These are not terminal issues and will usually last a season or less. All trees are inspected before being sent out to ensure they are fundamentally healthy and will bounce back.
Planting In The Corner Of A Garden
Air and light is reduced in this location which could promote fungus and bacterial issues. If the corner is of the house and a fence then you also have leeching issues to contend with from cement and wood preservatives. Also when it rains, that area would experience higher water levels so we advise against it unless the plant is very hardy.
Fruit Tree Heights
Taller does not mean more value for money. A 1 year old fruit tree can easily be substantially higher than a 2 year old, this is because they are hard pruned at 1 year old to create the desired shape. Some trees have over 100cm of height removed. They can then have another pruning at 2 years old to increase fruit growing real estate. Most fruit trees will benefit from having a third to half of the seasons new growth cut back in the Autumn to prevent long whippy branches which break easily. Age and pruning completed determine real value.
Cherry Tree Rootstock options explained
Gisela 5 : Dwarf Cherry Rootstock giving a final height of 2.5 metres. Ideal for gardens and easier for bird protection.
Colt : Semi-Dwarf Cherry Rootstock giving a final height of 3.5 metres.
Hexaploid Colt :Very similar to Colt (3.5 metres) just a different rootstock.
F.12.1: : Will grow to 4m +
Bush : This means there are branches that start close to the bottom of the tree.
Patio : Very well suited for container growing on patio (others usually can be too, this one is just better for it)
Maiden : The tree is 1-2 years old.
Half-Standard : The lower branches have been pruned off to give a more conventional "lollipop" tree shape
Bare Root : The Cherry tree is sent between November and March without any soil around the roots and no pot. Generally purchased because they are cheaper.
Cherry Tree Fruit Splitting
Cherries will split because of too much water. When it rains the roots take up water and as the air is humid, does not allow the cherry to "breathe". With container grown cherry trees, you can place an umbrella (we kid you not) over the tree to control watering to a better degree. If you find your garden planted cherry tree regularly has split cherry fruits, consider improving drainage close to the tree e.g. soakaways.
Planting Your Cherry Tree
Dig a hole three times wider than the pot in came in but just as deep. Place your cherry tree in the middle and fill with the remaining soil. If soil quality is in doubt, mix the excavated dirt with well rotted manure or compost to a 50:50 ratio. Water well (1-3 times a week depending on weather) for the next few weeks. Do not add fertilizer to the removed earth as the roots need to be encouraged to spread out. Do not plant if the ground is frozen or waterlogged.
Planting Bare Root Cherry Trees
Soak the Cherry tree roots in a bucket of water for a few hours. Dig a hole wider than the rootball. Make a mound in the middle of the hole to support the centre of the cherry tree rootball whilst allowing you enough room to trail the roots out. The more you can spread them out the better. The previous dirt line on the tree will be evident, the mound needs to be large enough to ensure this is in line with the top of the hole. Placing a piece of straight wood across the whole gives you something to check alignment with. Basically don't plant the Cherry tree any deeper than what it was before it was rudely hauled out of the ground. Fill the voids with the fine earth first, you are aiming to eliminate all or most of the voids. Gently compress to firm the earth but not compact it. Do this in layers around 4-6 inches at a time.
Cherry Tree Aftercare
Add a mulch layer. This is to prevent weeds and grass competing for nutrients within a 1m or 3ft radius around the tree. Use gravel, mulch mats, manure, bark or whatever you want to block the light getting through. Do not use herbicides on or near a young tree.
Before new leaves appear in Spring, apply a Nitrogen/Potassium/Phosphorous fertilizer although they mainly need Nitrogen. Nettle compost soups are a cheap way of achieving this albeit labour intensive.
Container Growing Cherry Trees
One of the biggest problems you will have with container growing cherry trees is lack of water. If the soil is dry around 15cm or 6 inches into the soil it is time to water. We use a soil moisture meter because we are lazy, cautious and love gadgets.
Birds And Cherry Trees
There are many methods of deterring birds from eating your beloved cherry crop from threatening to sue them in bird court for theft to painting each cherry with lemon juice but by far the most effective method is to surround the tree with netting.
