Fruiting Cherry Tree FAQs

• How long does it take for a cherry tree to bear fruit?

  This depends on how old the tree is when you purchase it. If you plan to grow a cherry tree from a cherry pit you can expect the tree to take seven to ten years until it begins to bear fruit. 

  However, young cherry trees will take only three to four years to establish and begin bearing fruit. Once you plant your cherry tree from Primrose, you can expect it to produce fruit the year after you plant it. Mature cherry trees will continue to bear fruit for many years to come.

• Where do cherry trees grow best?

  The greatest barrier to successfully growing fruit in the UK is the lack of natural sunlight. For the best results, try planting your cherry tree in a spot that allows it to sit in full sun for much of the day. Do keep in mind that younger cherry trees may be susceptible to uprooting if exposed to heavy winds, so try to shelter it as much as possible to allow the tree to put all of its resources into producing fruit rather than repairing itself.

• When should I plant a cherry tree?

  Potted cherry trees like those in our collection are available to purchase all year round and can be planted any time of year. However, the optimum time to plant cherry trees is around late winter to spring, or late autumn. This is because you need the ground to not be frozen, very wet or very dry. The ground should be soft with a high moisture content to allow air to circulate and the soil to drain.

• Which cherry tree should I choose?

  There are several different types of cherry trees, each bearing different flavours of cherry. If you want to eat cherries straight from the tree, sweet cherry trees are your best option. Sunburst cherry trees have a reputation for bearing the sweetest fruit, Summer Sun is also an award-winning sweet cherry. For pies and jams, sour cherry trees are best. Morello trees are known as the ultimate pie cherry, while Stella is the UK’s most popular cherry tree. Lapins is an improved offspring of the Stella and Kordia is an award-winning black cherry tree.

  Learn more about caring for cherry trees in our guide ‘How To Prune a Fruit Tree’ and discover even more fruit-bearing trees and fruit plants in our full collection here at Primrose.