What Do Cherries Grow On
Learn how to plant, grow, and harvest cherries, both sweet cherries and sour cherries, from The Old Farmer's Almanac. In general, cherries grow in zones 5-8, with a few varieties bred to survive the cold of zone 4 and others to handle the heat of zone 9. Its essential to pick a type that will grow in your area.
Cherries perform best in moist, well-drained, fertile soils. Avoid wet, poorly drained sites. Cherries are susceptible to root rots in wet, poorly drained soils.
Trees should also receive full sun. Sites must receive at least 8 hours of sun each day. Sweet cherries bloom earlier than sour cherries.
Learn about cherry tree growth, from root systems to planting conditions and cultivation techniques. Ideal for gardeners. Yes, cherries grow on deciduous trees belonging to the genus Prunus, which also includes plums, peaches, and almonds.
Cherry trees can reach heights of 20-50 feet at maturity, depending on variety and rootstock. These flowering trees produce blossoms in spring before leaves emerge. Sweet cherries in particular need as much sunlight as possible, while tart cherries can grow without quite as much sun.
Full sun exposure will also help prevent pests and diseases. Cherries primarily develop on specialized, short branches called fruit spurs, rather than directly on new growth. These spurs are robust structures attached to older wood that remain productive for many years, sometimes for 10 to 12 years.
Cherries love the sun. The more rays, the better. Aim for a location that gets at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight every day.
You also want to plant them somewhere with well-draining soil. Soggy roots are a no-go. A little bit of a slope is ideal, just so water doesnt pool around the base.
The definitive answer to "what kind of tree do cherries grow on" is unequivocally a tree belonging to the botanical genus Prunus. This genus is extensive, encompassing a wide array of commercially important fruiting species, including plums, apricots, and almonds. Learn how to grow cherry trees with our guidecovering planting, care, pruning, and harvesting for fresh, delicious cherries!
