How to grow Wild Cherry

Prunus avium

The mature height of a cherry tree is determined by the rootstock it is grown on. So wen selecting a rootstock, make sure not only that it is well suited to your local soil and conditions, but also that it limits the height to what you can handle. Remember you can also limit height by summer pruning. Other considerations are how many chill hours your cherry cultivar needs to set fruit and whether it’s self-fruitful or needs a pollenizer.

In dry years keep evenly moist to prevent split fruit.

Growing Wild cherry from seed

As with many tree fruits, it does not grow true to seed. So while you can plant seeds and get a cherry tree, it likely will not resemble its parent very closely. However, if you have the room, the time and the patience to experiment, it could be rewarding. The seed needs to be “cold stratified” which means keeping it at a temperature below 40 F (but not freezing) for a prolonged period. You can either do that by keeping it outside during winter if you live in a cold area, or putting it in the fridge. Stratify it for at least 3 months.

Harvesting Wild cherry

Fruit color can be bright red, dull red, dark red, or even yellow.

How long does Wild cherry take to grow?

These estimates for how long Wild cherry takes to sprout, grow and harvest are from real observations from real gardeners, right around the world.

Days to Germination How long does it take Wild cherry to germinate?
150 days

Average 150 days | Min days | Max days (0)

Days to Transplant How long until I can plant out Wild cherry?
+ days

Average days | Min days | Max days (0)

Days to Maturity How long until Wild cherry is ready for harvest / bloom?
+ days

Average days | Min days | Max days (0)

Total Growing Days How long does it take to grow Wild cherry?
= days

Wild cherry Etymology

Avium refers to birds, which love eating cherries.

Wild cherry Folklore & Trivia

A myth about one of the United States’ Founding Fathers, George Washington, says that he was confronted by his father after a cherry tree was cut down. When asked, he said, “I cannot tell a lie…”, admitting that he cut it down. This is pure myth, though.

Other names for Wild cherry

Cherry

Prunus avium (L.) L.

Footnotes

1 Missouri Botanical Garden


< Previous Plant Guide

Couch Grass

Next Plant Guide >

Weeping Fig