CHERRY

    Cherries are one of the prettiest spring trees and one of the most popular fruits.   Sour cherries are self-pollinating (a single tree will bear fruit), but will not pollinate sweet types.  Sweet cherries tend to be less cold hardy than their sour cousins.  Most sweet types are not self pollinating and must be interplanted with another sweet variety to produce fruit.
    Although fruiting cherries have lovely spring blossoms, flowering cherries have been grown to provide a more magnificent display.  Some produce fruits neglible in taste, while the fruits of others can be used in jams and jellies.  Cherries, like apples and some other fruits, need a certain number for 'chill hours" (number of hours they spend below freezing temperatures)  to produce well.  This can be anywhere from 300 to 1200 hours long, making varieties with a lower chill requirement more suitable for warmer climates.  See GROWING HINTS below for inofrmation on how to grow these valuable trees.

Dwarf?  Semi-dwarf?  Standard?
Most modern cherries are grafted onto vigorous rootstocks and are available in 3 sizes:
Dwarf trees begin producing in 2-3 years.  At maturity, they reach between 6-8ft. in height, which makes them perfect for the smaller garden.

Semi-dwarf trees grow to an average height of 12-15ft. at maturity and begin to bear fruit in 3-5 years.

Standard trees reach 20-25ft. in height and begin to bear in about 5-6 years.  .
Rich's Cherries

Our fruiting cherry trees are sturdy specimens with a trunk diameter of  1/2 to 5/8 inch.  Most varieties are available as standards or semi-dwarf, as indicated.  Available sizes for flowering varieties are as indicated, but other sizes than those listed are often available.  With proper care, our cherries will give you years of beauty and fruit.

SWEET TYPES

  Bing - Deep red/black fruits are one of the sweetest types.  Excellent for canning.  Does not pollinate with Napoleon.  700-800 hours of chill for best production.  Hardy to -10F (-23C);  height: 15ft.

#P920SD   Semi-dwarf tree    $56.95
#P2-920SD   Two Semi-dwarf trees  for  $80.00
#P920S   Standard tree    $56.95
#P2-920S   Two Standard trees    $80.00

Mazzard Cherry (Prunus avium) - Sweet cherry used most often as rootstock for other varieties. Produces a quality red fruit.  Hardy to -40F (-40C);  height: 50 ft.

#2197  seed packet; approximately 50 seeds    $ 10.00
#B12197  bulk seeds 1 lb. ; approximately 2,000 seeds    $90.00
See "Rootstock" for seedlings

  Napoleon (Royal Ann) - Sweet variety producing large yellow fruit with a pink blush.  Good for canning.  Will not pollinate with Bing.  500 chill hours required for best production. Hardy to -10F (-23C);  height: 15ft.

#P921SD   Semi-dwarf tree    $56.95
#P2-921SD   Two Semi-dwarf trees  for  $80.00
#P921S   Standard tree    $56.95
#P2-921S   Two Standard trees  for  $80.00

  Ranier -  Pretty yellow cherries with a red blush.  Fruits are large and in great numbers.500 hours chill.

#P2659SD   Semi-dwarf tree    $56.95
#P2-2659SD   Two Semi-dwarf trees  for  $80.00
#P2659S   Standard tree    $56.95
#P2-2659S   Two Standard trees  for  $80.00

Lambert - Dark red heart shaped fruits, slightly smaller and ripening a week later than Bing.   Will not pollinate Napoleon or Bin.  800 chill hours required for best crops.  Hardy to -30 (-34.4C)

#P2660SD   Semi-dwarf tree    $56.95
#P2-2660SD   Two Semi-dwarf trees  for  $80.00
#P2660S   Standard tree    $56.95
#P2-2660S   Two Standard trees  for  $80.00

  Selah (also known as Liberty Bell)  Large firm red cherry with a slightly earlier ripening than Lapins.  Good pollinator for all varieties (including Bing). 700 chill hours required for best production.  Hardy to -10F (-23C);  height 15ft.

#P4277SD   Semi-dwarf tree    $56.95
#P2-4277SD   Two Semi-dwarf trees  for  $80.00

  Sweetheart - This Van - Newstar cross has bright red medium sized fruits with a good sweet flavor.  Ripens between July 25 and August 1st.  Requires pruning  to prevent over-cropping.  Self fertile annual bearer.  1000 chill hours.  Hardy to -20F (-28.8C)

#P1428S   Standard tree    $56.95
#P2-1428S   Two Standard trees  for  $80.00

Ulster - A Schmidt's - Lambert that resembles Schmidt's but is more productive. The fruit is dark red, large, and firm fleshed, like Schmidt's, but is more resistant to cracking.  800 chill hours.   Ripens mid July.

#P2636S   Standard tree    $56.95
#P2-2636S   Two Standard trees  for  $80.00

  Black Cherry (Wild Cherry, Rum Cherry)  Prunus serotina -  Growing wild along fencerows in the US and parts of Canada, this species produces pretty white blooms in the spring followed by small edible cherries that have been used for centuries to make jams, jellies and pies.  They were also used by American Indian tribes as a medicinal herb, being used to treat a number of complaints, including stomache disroders and sore throats (thus Wild Cherry cough drops).  The wood is prized to maked furniture and other objects .  Hardy to -40F (-40C); height: 25ft.

#2220   Packet  $5.50   Approximately 50 seeds
#B12220   Bulk seeds   $39.95     1 lb. seeds

   Higan Weeping Cherry (Prunus subhirtella pendula)  Single pink blossoms on slender weeping branches.  Good landscape or specimen tree.  Hardy to -30F (-35C); height: 15ft.

#1484    Seed packet; Approximately 50 seeds  $ 25.50
#B11484   1 lb. seeds approximately 4,900 seeds  $ 345.00
#P1484H  2-3ft. tree  $ 34.95
#P4-1484H  (2-3ft. trees)     Four trees for $ 50.95

  Kwanzan - (Prunus serrulata 'Kwanzan')  The most popular of the ornamental cherries, with deep pink 2-1/2in. double blooms.  New growth is reddish-copper turning to green.  Hardy to -10F (-23.3C); height: 18ft.

#P1028H  2-3ft. tree  $56.95
#P3-1028H  (2-3ft. trees)  Three trees for $50.95

Japanese Flower Cherry - (Prunus serrulata) - 樱花 Red leaves Cherry - Ornamental.   Hardy to -10F (-23.3C); height: 18ft.

#0222144   Seed packet   approximately 50 seeds          $ 15.50
#B4z-0222144    4 oz. seeds (approximately 1,200 seeds)          $ 56.90
#B1-10222144   Bulk seed  1 lb. seeds           $ 93.90

Nanking (Prunus tomentosa) Hardy attractive ornamental tree with white blossoms.  The fruits can be used to make jellies and jams.  Hardy to -50F (-45C); height: 10ft.

#1485   Seed packet   approximately 50 seeds          $ 5.50
#B4z1485   4 oz. seeds approximately 1,200 seeds          $ 33.95
#P1485H   12 - 18 inch tree        $ 34.95
#P5-1485H   (12 - 18 inch seedlings)        Five trees for $50.95

Okame (Prunus x Okame)  Upright vase shaped with rich pink blooms appearing before the leaves.  Bronze-red autumn foliage.  Good heat and cold tolerance.  Hardy to -30F (-34.4C);  height: 15ft.

#P2663H  2-3ft. tree         $24.95
#P3-2663H  (2-3ft. trees)       Three trees for $33.99

Purpleleaf Sand Cherry (Prunus x cistena) - Native American shrub or small tree with bright red/purple foliage and fragrant pink blooms that open after leaves appear. Hardy and vigorous grower.  Hardy to -50F (-45C);  height: 7 - 10 ft.

#2664H  1 yr. seedling          $ 24.95
#P3-2664H  (1 yr. seedlings)         Three trees for $33.99

Western Sand Cherry (Prunus besseyi) - Flowering cherry with a wide spreading habit. Blooms are pink and very fragrant. Hardy and vigorous grower.  Hardy to -40F (-40C);  height: 6ft.

See Rootstock for seeds and seedlings

    Yoshino (Prunus x yedoensis)  These are the beautiful white blooming cherries planted in Washington D.C.'s Tidal Basin.  Rounded growth habit and pretty yellow fall foliage make this a good choice for specimen planting.

#P1097H    2-3ft. tree    $ 24.95
#P3-1097H    (2-3ft. trees)   Three trees for $ 33.99
#1097     Seed Packet ; approximately 150 seeds        $ 79.50

GROWING HINTS: Cherries do well in a wide range of soil types, but for best results, plant on a slope higher than surrounding ground to avoid late frosts.  Trees should be planted approximately 25 - 30ft apart each way.  Soil should be well drained clay loam or sand loam. Cherries can be propagated by seeds, cuttings or grafts.  Many excellent rootstocks can be found Here for use in grafting cherries.  Trees should be planted in spring in colder areas, but fall or spring will do fine for warmer climates..  Trees should be pruned in late winter or very early spring as needed.  A modified leader system works best and wide angled branches should be chosen as leaders (narrow angled branches are prone to breakage and can damage the tree).  Protect fruit from bird damage by covering the tree with netting.  Scare deivices are available, but birds become used to them eventually.

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