Cherry tree pollination - Ask Extension
Hi,
I hope I’m sending this email to the right place, or at least that it finds the right destination for an answer. I live in Muskegon, MI and 2 ...
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Cherry tree pollination #564420
Asked May 25, 2019, 11:06 AM EDT
Hi,
I hope I’m sending this email to the right place, or at least that it finds the right destination for an answer. I live in Muskegon, MI and 2 years ago I planted a sweet cherry tree on my yard. I bought it on clearance and there was only one left so I couldn’t purchase a pollinator to go along with it. I can’t remember for sure, but it’s either of the Ranier variety or the Montmorency variety. I want to say it’s a Ranier. Anyway, I’m trying to find a pollinator for it, and I’m trying to do so on a budget. I transplanted 3 wild cherry or chokecherry trees from a different yard to mine and I’m wondering if they should work as a pollinator? They do bloom at the same time, I just don’t know if a wild cherry tree will pollinate any sweet cherry tree, let alone mine? If it isn’t capable, are there any varieties that pollinate both Ranier and Montmorency, since I don’t know which I have? Thank you for your time and thanks in advance for any answers you help me with.
Red Hobbs
Muskegon County Michigan
Expert Response
You can tell the difference between Montmorency (tart cherry) and Rainier (sweet cherry by the shape and size of the leaves, and the general shape of the tree. Tarts have much smaller leaves and tends have a more bushy tree with spindly branches than sweet cherries. Montmorency is self-fertile and does not need a pollinator. Rainier is a white sweet cherry that does need a pollinator. If you send some pictures of the leaves (on a flat surface so they are in focus) I should be able to tell you if they are tart or sweet.
Hi,
Thanks for your quick response. I could have sworn that I bought a sweet cherry tree because I wanted something that I could eat right off the tree. Then again I purchased the last one so I couldn’t be picky. Here are a few pics of my tree. Thanks again for your time.
Red Hobbs
Thanks for your quick response. I could have sworn that I bought a sweet cherry tree because I wanted something that I could eat right off the tree. Then again I purchased the last one so I couldn’t be picky. Here are a few pics of my tree. Thanks again for your time.
Red Hobbs
Hi,
Thanks for your quick response. I could have sworn that I bought a sweet cherry tree because I wanted something that I could eat right off the tree. Then again I purchased the last one so I couldn’t be picky. Here are a few pics of my tree. Thanks again for your time. My main question is whether a wild cherry tree, or black cherry tree common in the woods around me, will be capable of pollinating my tree?(I understand we must first identify what type tree I have)
Red Hobbs
Thanks for your quick response. I could have sworn that I bought a sweet cherry tree because I wanted something that I could eat right off the tree. Then again I purchased the last one so I couldn’t be picky. Here are a few pics of my tree. Thanks again for your time. My main question is whether a wild cherry tree, or black cherry tree common in the woods around me, will be capable of pollinating my tree?(I understand we must first identify what type tree I have)
Red Hobbs
These are sweet cherry leaves. The wild black cherry is not a reliable pollinator for sweet cherry.
At the following link you will see two files, a pollination chart and a summary of cherry by harvest season.
For the pollination chart, look at the intersection of the vertical column and horizontal rows. If there is an X, the combination is not compatible. Also note that the varieties are listed in bloom order. Chose your new sweet cherry from those that bloom early like Rainier. On the other chart look for the * which indicates varieties that have done well in Michigan. Black Pearl would be a good match for Rainier, as an example.
https://williamshane.weebly.com/cherry.html
At the following link you will see two files, a pollination chart and a summary of cherry by harvest season.
For the pollination chart, look at the intersection of the vertical column and horizontal rows. If there is an X, the combination is not compatible. Also note that the varieties are listed in bloom order. Chose your new sweet cherry from those that bloom early like Rainier. On the other chart look for the * which indicates varieties that have done well in Michigan. Black Pearl would be a good match for Rainier, as an example.
https://williamshane.weebly.com/cherry.html
Chokecherry is not a good companion for a cherry planting. Chokecherry harbor X-disease, a significant problem for cherries and peaches. I recommend removing the chokecherry.
