Sour Cherry (Prunus cerasus)

How much light does a Sour Cherry need?

Sour cherry is listed for full sun. NC State Extension describes that as six or more hours of direct sunlight a day. Full sun is the only light condition recorded for this tree. The tree grows to about 30 ft (9.14 m) with a broadly rounded crown. The listing gives full sun as the preferred condition.

• Light: Full sun¹

How often to water a Sour Cherry

Water needs for sour cherry are listed as medium to wet. The source describes the soil it wants as moist. Medium to wet is the full range given, and no drier listing is recorded. The same tree is also listed for well-drained soil, and the University of Illinois Extension gives moist, well-drained conditions. No watering schedule in days is documented for this tree.

• Water: Medium to wet¹

Best soil for a Sour Cherry

Sour cherry is listed for well-drained soil. One extension source gives good drainage as the condition. Another describes the soil as moist and well-drained. Its water need is listed as medium to wet. That listed water range is the other soil-moisture fact on record for the tree. Well-drained is the only drainage class recorded. No soil pH range is documented for this tree.

• Soil drainage: Well drained^1,2,3

Hardiness and temperature

Sour cherry is listed for USDA zones 3a to 8b. Zone 3a is the coldest end of that range and 8b is the warmest. Zones warmer than 8b are outside the listed range. The University of Illinois Extension says sour cherries do well in cooler, humid climates. Humidity is recorded as high for this tree. The hardiness range covers many half-zone steps, from 3a through 8b. No minimum temperature is documented for this tree.

• Hardiness: Zones 3a–8b¹

Fertilizing a Sour Cherry

A light yearly feeding is the pattern listed for sour cherry. Penn State Extension places that feeding in early spring. In the years after planting, it describes broadcasting 1/2 lb (0.23 kg) of 10-10-10 under each tree. The listing gives one feeding a year. Light, once a year is the whole frequency given.

• Fertilizer: Light, once a year (Mar–Apr)⁴

How to plant a Sour Cherry

Zones 3a to 8b are the range in which sour cherry is listed. Pick a site with full sun. The soil should be well drained. The tree grows to about 30 ft (9.14 m) with a broadly rounded crown. Growth rate is listed as rapid by NC State Extension and as medium by Utah State University Extension. Its US-L48 native status is recorded as introduced.

• Hardiness: Zones 3a–8b¹

Winter care

Sour cherry is deciduous. Its listed hardiness runs from zone 3a to zone 8b. Zone 3a is the coldest zone in that range. Zones warmer than 8b are outside the listed range. The University of Illinois Extension says sour cherries do well in cooler, humid climates. Hardiness is listed in half-zone steps from 3a through 8b. No minimum temperature is documented for this tree.

• Hardiness: Zones 3a–8b¹

How to propagate a Sour Cherry

Seed and grafting are the two propagation methods listed for sour cherry. The NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox notes that this tree will reseed. The same entry says it has spread beyond garden areas. Grafting is the other method on the list. Propagation by seed and by grafting is the full list on record.

• Propagation: Seed and grafting¹

Common problems

The recorded pests include spotted wing drosophila, western cherry fruit fly and European cherry fruit fly. Plum curculio, Japanese beetle, brown marmorated stink bug and cherry lace bug are also listed. Recorded diseases are black knot, brown rot, bacterial canker and bacterial spot. Plum pox virus and X disease phytoplasma are also on the list.

• Common pests: spotted wing drosophila, western cherry fruit fly, european cherry fruit fly, plum curculio, japanese beetle, brown marmorated stink bug and cherry lace bug^{5,5,5,5,5,5,1}
• Common diseases: black knot, brown rot, bacterial canker, bacterial spot, plum pox virus and x disease phytoplasma^5,5

Questions and answers

Is sour cherry toxic to cats and dogs?

The ASPCA lists sour cherry as toxic to cats and toxic to dogs. NC State Extension also marks it as a problem for cats and for dogs. The recorded position is toxic for each animal.

How much sun does sour cherry need?

Sour cherry is listed for full sun. NC State Extension describes that as six or more hours of direct sunlight a day. The tree grows to about 30 ft (9.14 m) with a broadly rounded crown.

Which hardiness zones suit sour cherry?

Sour cherry is listed for USDA zones 3a to 8b. It is deciduous. The University of Illinois Extension says sour cherries do well in cooler, humid climates.