CHERRY TREES

For gardening enthusiasts, few pursuits are as rewarding as nurturing a luscious and productive cherry tree in their Oklahoma backyard. A word of caution, though – some cherries perform better in our climate than others.

Cherries are broken into two main groups – the sweet cherry (Prunus avium) and the sour or tart cherry (Prunus cerasus).

Sweet cherries include more cultivars than the sour types, and they are generally more desired because of their sweetness.  However, sweet cherries don’t do well in the summer heat.  We do stock several cultivars of sweet cherries at Marcum’s Nursery, however, and we try to only grow and bring varieties into our stock that exhibit better heat tolerance.  Sweet cherries often need another cherry tree for pollination, so make sure you choose varieties that are compatible pollinators.

Sour or tart cherries, often referred to as pie cherries since that’s how they’re most generally used, perform much better in our warm summer temperatures.  ‘Montmorency’ is the most popular pie cherry, and it is one we grow annually at Marcum’s Nursery.  Another benefit of sour cherry trees is that they’re one of the few fruits that almost always self-pollinate well. 

Cherry Varieties

Each year, we stock cherry varieties that perform best in our climate.  Sour cherries are a safer choice, but we do stock sweet cherry varieties that are known to have better heat tolerance.  Below are the varieties we have secured for 2024.

If you’re a fan of homemade cherry pies, Montmorency may be the tree for you. Its tart cherries are perfect for baking and can be used as a therapeutic addition to your diet due to their known health benefits. These trees mature height ranges from 12-18 feet and width ranges from 18-20 feet.

• Productivity: The Montmorency cherry tree is a prolific producer, with an average annual yield of 35-50 pounds.
• Pollination: Self-Pollinating

Learn more about Montmorency on our Plant Library.

The Carmine Jewel grows more like a shrub than a classic cherry tree.  It’s much easier to maintain in our climate than sweet cherry varieties, and it produces a surprisingly high yield for its size; it grows to be about 6 feet tall and wide.

• Productivity: The Carmine Jewel will produce more fruit as it matures, and it will make about 20-30 pounds of fruit in its fifth year.
• Pollination: Self-Pollinating

Learn more about Carmine Jewel on our Plant Library.

Ideal for small spaces, the North Star is a genetic dwarf growing to 7-9 feet tall and 8-10 feet wide.  It produces a large crop of dark red cherries perfect for baking and preserves.    

• Productivity: The North Star can produce up to 30 quarts of cherries.
• Pollination: Self-Pollinating

Learn more about North Star on our Plant Library.

The Stella cherry variety is known for its resilience and low maintenance, this self-pollinating gem can produce a harvest with only a little attention. Stella Cherry trees have a mature height of 10-12 feet and a mature width of 8-10 feet. As an early producer, you’ll be enjoying cherries from Stella in no time.

• Productivity: A high-yield producer, with an average annual yield of 20-25 pounds.
• Pollination: Self-Pollinating

Learn more about Stella on our Plant Library.

A household name in cherries, the Bing variety is a prolific producer of deep red, sweet fruits. As a heavier and heartier tree, Bing cherries are often the centerpiece of large-scale commercial orchards. These trees have a maturity height of 30-35 feet and a maturity width of 20-25 feet.

• Productivity: The Bing cherry tree is a high-volume producer, with an average annual yield of 50-60 pounds.
• Pollination: This variety requires cross-pollination. Lapins, Montmorency, and Rainier are popular choices.

Learn more about Bing on our Plant Library.

Black Tartarian cherries are celebrated for their intensity of flavor and large, dark fruits. Though they require a good chill to set fruit, their commitment to a lengthy growing season pays off for patient gardeners. Black Tartarian has a maturity height and width of 18-25 feet.

• Productivity: The Black Tartarian cherry tree is a moderate producer, with an average annual yield of 25-30 pounds.
• Pollination: This variety requires cross-pollination. Stella and Bing are recommended companions.

Learn more about Black Tartarian on our Plant Library.

Lapins cherry trees offer the best of both worlds, with plentiful harvests and a size that accommodates even tiny gardens. This self-fertile tree is cross-pollinated for the most bountiful crop. Lapins has a maturity height and width of 10-13 feet.

• Productivity: The Lapins cherry tree is a heavy producer, with an average annual yield of 50-60 pounds.
• Pollination: This self-fertile variety can thrive on its own but will produce even more fruit when cross-pollinated with another sweet cherry tree, such as Bing or Black Tartarian.

Learn more about Lapins on our Plant Library.

With its creamy yellow skin and blush of red, the Royal Rainier is a visual and gustatory delight. While needing more attention, this tree rewards your efforts with fine-textured and sweet cherries. Royal Rainier has a maturity height of 15-18 feet and a little less on maturity width of 10-15 feet.

• Productivity: The Royal Rainier cherry tree is a moderate producer, with an average annual yield of 25-30 pounds.
• Pollination: This variety requires cross-pollination. Bing, Royal Ann, or Lapins are recommended for optimal results.

SOURCES

• https://www.davewilson.com/
• https://freedomtreefarms.com/
• https://extension.okstate.edu/topics/plants-and-animals/crops/fruits-and-tree-nuts/